Two-way telescopic pallet fork structure

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of forklift loading and unloading equipment, in particular to a two-way telescopic pallet fork structure which comprises a sliding frame and a pallet fork arranged on the sliding frame. The pallet fork is arranged at the bottom of the sliding frame in a sliding mode. The driving mechanism drives the pallet fork to transversely move and slide in two directions relative to the sliding frame so as to adjust the extending position of the pallet fork relative to the sliding frame, and loading areas in different directions are formed; the fixing device is used for pressing the pallet fork after the pallet fork moves in place, and displacement is prevented. According to the technical scheme, the pallet forks are arranged at the bottom of the sliding frame in a lateral sliding mode and driven by the driving mechanism to horizontally move in two directions, loading areas in different directions are formed, and goods on the opposite sides can be forked without turning around of the whole vehicle. The whole structure achieves multi-degree-of-freedom adjustment in a limited space, and the problems of steering limitation of a fixed pallet fork and space occupation of a rotary pallet fork are solved.

Description

A bidirectional telescopic fork structure Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of forklift loading and unloading equipment technology, and in particular to a bidirectional telescopic fork structure. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional forklifts use a fixed fork structure, with the forks rigidly mounted on the carriage and unable to move. This presents significant drawbacks when operating in narrow aisles with racks on both sides: firstly, to retrieve goods from the opposite side of the aisle, the entire forklift must be turned around, significantly increasing the time required for each operation and complicating the workflow; secondly, to accommodate the space needed for turning around, the aisle width must be increased, directly reducing warehouse space utilization. Existing improvements, such as three-way stacker forklifts using a rotating fork design, while allowing adjustment of the picking angle, suffer from high drive torque requirements, high energy consumption, and poor load-bearing stability. Furthermore, the rotating motion requires additional space for support, which can exacerbate operational inconvenience in narrow aisles.

[0003] More importantly, this type of solution cannot achieve bidirectional fork translation adjustment, making it difficult to meet the dual requirements of modern warehousing and logistics for efficient space utilization and flexible operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide a bidirectional telescopic fork structure that improves operational efficiency in narrow aisles and optimizes warehouse space utilization.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] This application provides a bidirectional telescopic fork structure, the technical solution of which is as follows:

[0007] A bidirectional telescopic fork structure includes a carriage and forks mounted on the carriage;

[0008] - The forks are slidably mounted at the bottom of the carriage;

[0009] - Drive mechanism, drives the forks to slide in both directions relative to the carriage to adjust the extension position of the forks relative to the carriage, forming loading areas with different orientations;

[0010] - A securing device is used to clamp the forks after they have been moved into place, preventing displacement.

[0011] In this technical solution, the forks themselves slide laterally at the bottom of the carriage and are driven by a drive mechanism to move bidirectionally, forming loading areas with different orientations. Goods can be picked up from opposite sides without the vehicle needing to be turned around. A fixing device ensures operational stability by clamping the forks, avoiding the risk of displacement. The overall structure achieves multi-degree-of-freedom adjustment within a limited space, solving the steering limitations of fixed forks and the space occupation problem of rotary forks.

[0012] Furthermore, this application proposes that a fork base be provided at the bottom of the carriage; a sliding channel is constructed on the fork base, penetrating the opposite sides of the carriage; and the forks are movable within the fork base. This technical solution, by providing a fork base with a through-type sliding channel at the bottom of the carriage, constructs a mechanical foundation that allows the forks to slide in both directions. The fork base, as a load-bearing structure, provides a linear movement path for the forks without obstruction by the carriage body through its through-type sliding channel, allowing the forks to freely extend or retract along both sides of the carriage. The structural design of the forks and fork base forming a sliding pair ensures both a compact layout of the forks in the space at the bottom of the carriage and stability and accuracy of the fork translation process through the sliding channel that defines the movement trajectory. This bidirectional adjustable structure allows the forks to select different loading areas according to operational needs, breaking through the operational limitations of traditional fixed forks.

[0013] Furthermore, this application proposes that a first rack is welded onto the fork; the drive mechanism includes a translation drive component located at the bottom of the carriage and an adjusting gear meshing with the first rack; the translation drive component drives the first rack to cause the fork to slide bidirectionally relative to the carriage. This technical solution achieves precise bidirectional translation control of the fork through a mechanical transmission structure involving the meshing of a rack and gear. Specifically, by welding a first rack to the fork body, the driving force can be directly transmitted through the rack when the fork moves, avoiding the complex transmission chain required by traditional rotating mechanisms; the translation drive component at the bottom of the carriage cooperates with the adjusting gear, utilizing the meshing transmission relationship between the gear and rack to convert the rotational motion of the drive component into the linear translational motion of the fork, resulting in high transmission efficiency and superior displacement control accuracy; by driving the bidirectional adjustment gear in both directions, the fork can be adjusted in both left and right directions. Compared to the overall rotating fork solution, this structure occupies less space and does not require high torque drive. This design effectively reduces energy consumption and improves adaptability to operation in confined spaces while ensuring the fork position adjustment function.

[0014] Furthermore, this application also proposes that the fixing device includes:

[0015] • The clamping cylinder and clamping spring are fixed inside the carriage;

[0016] • The compression spring transmits the downward pressure from the compression cylinder to the forks, preventing overpressure damage to the forks;

[0017] • The shaft fixed to the piston rod of the clamping cylinder;

[0018] • A bushing is axially movable and fitted at the lower end of the shaft; a clamping spring is fitted on the shaft above the bushing, with both ends pressing against the shaft and the bushing respectively; when the piston rod of the clamping cylinder presses down, the downward pressure is transmitted to the bushing through the clamping spring, and the bushing clamps the fork and prevents overpressure damage.

[0019] This technology uses a hydraulic cylinder to drive a piston rod downwards, and the elastic deformation of a clamping spring transmits the downward force to the bushing, thus clamping the forks. The bushing's axially movable design, fitted onto the lower end of the shaft, allows the clamping spring to buffer the force between the shaft and the bushing, preventing excessive direct force during rigid clamping that could damage the forks or carriage structure. When the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder presses down, the elastic compression of the clamping spring adaptively adjusts the clamping force, ensuring the forks are securely clamped by the bushing while absorbing overload pressure through the spring's buffering effect, preventing overpressure. As the component that ultimately contacts the forks, the bushing's axial movement ensures uniform force distribution during clamping, avoiding localized stress concentration.

[0020] Furthermore, this application proposes that a pressure plate be provided at the upper end of the shaft, with the upper end of the clamping spring pressing against the pressure plate; a contact switch is provided inside the carriage, including an upper contact switch and a lower contact switch; when the piston rod drives the shaft to move, the pressure plate cooperates with the upper contact switch to provide feedback on the fork movement state, and cooperates with the lower contact switch to provide feedback on the clamping state. This technical solution achieves accurate feedback on the fork state through the linkage design of the pressure plate and the contact switch. A pressure plate is provided at the upper end of the shaft, so that the upper end of the clamping spring presses against the pressure plate, forming a stable transmission path of the spring force. The carriage is equipped with a contact switch including an upper contact switch and a lower contact switch, and dual-state detection is achieved through the contact of the pressure plate with different contacts: when the piston rod drives the shaft to move, the pressure plate contacts the upper contact switch to trigger a movement state signal, reflecting whether the fork is in an adjustable movement stage; when the pressure plate contacts the lower contact switch, it indicates that the clamping action has been completed and a locked state has been formed. This staged triggering design achieves independent feedback of the fork movement process and the fixing process, which can not only avoid damage to components caused by continued pressure during misoperation, but also ensure safe locking after clamping. Compared to electronic sensors, the physical contact structure of contact switches has stronger anti-interference capabilities and can maintain reliable detection even in the vibration environment of forklift operation.

[0021] Furthermore, this application proposes that the carriage be equipped with two sets of detection components; feedback components are provided at both ends of the fork; during bidirectional translational sliding of the fork, the two sets of detection components respectively detect the feedback components at both ends of the fork to determine the extension direction and positioning status of the fork. This technical solution achieves precise monitoring of the bidirectional translational sliding process of the fork by setting two sets of detection components on the carriage and configuring feedback components at both ends of the fork. The two sets of detection components on the carriage correspond to the feedback components at both ends of the fork. When the fork moves in either direction, the corresponding detection component can capture the signal from the feedback component. This design allows the system to synchronously acquire displacement information at both ends during bidirectional translation of the fork, thereby accurately determining the extension direction of the fork and whether it has reached the predetermined position. The symmetrical arrangement of the feedback components at both ends of the fork ensures that regardless of whether the fork slides to the left or right, the detection components can trigger detection signals through the corresponding feedback components, avoiding blind spots or misjudgments that may exist in unidirectional detection. The collaborative operation of the two sets of detection components further enhances the detection redundancy, ensuring that the positioning status can be reliably identified during the movement of the forks, thus solving the problem of inaccurate positioning caused by the lack of a bidirectional detection mechanism in traditional forks.

[0022] Furthermore, this application proposes that the fork be equipped with two sets of collision sensing components; each set includes a fork tip collision switch located at the end of the fork, used to provide feedback on collision signals from the fork tip; the two sets of fork tip collision switches are adapted to different loading areas formed by the bidirectional extension and retraction of the fork. This technical solution uses two independently operating collision sensing components to detect collisions in different loading directions formed by the bidirectional extension and retraction of the fork. The two sets of fork tip collision switches are installed at both ends of the fork. When the fork extends in any direction to form a loading area, the fork tip collision switch of the corresponding direction can detect the contact or collision between the fork tip and the cargo in real time. This bidirectional symmetrical detection mechanism ensures that regardless of whether the fork extends to the left or right to form a loading area, the collision signal can be captured in a timely manner by the fork tip collision switch on the corresponding side, solving the technical defect that traditional unidirectional detection devices cannot adapt to bidirectional extension structures. The fork tip collision switches are directly located at the end of the fork, which can accurately locate the collision location and avoid detection failure due to changes in the position of the fork tip after extension and retraction, ensuring operational safety under different loading directions.

[0023] Furthermore, this application also proposes that the collision sensing component further includes a brush plate connected to the fork tip collision switch; the brush plate is installed on the other end of the fork away from the corresponding fork tip collision switch; a wiring harness connection device is provided on the carriage, whose probe can selectively contact the surface of the fork; when the fork moves into position in any direction, the probe contacts the copper sheet of the brush plate, realizing the circuit connection of the fork tip collision switch and collision feedback.

[0024] This technical solution separates the brush plate and the fork tip collision switch at both ends of the fork, forming detection circuits corresponding to different fork extension directions. When the fork moves laterally to a certain extreme position, the probe contacts the brush plate, activating the circuit of the fork tip collision switch on that side, thereby transmitting the collision signal to the control system. The contact method between the brush plate and the probe avoids the tangling or breakage problems caused by the reciprocating motion of the fork in traditional cables. The wiring harness connection device, through the elastic contact design of the probe, ensures that the probe and the fork surface remain in a non-contact state during fork movement, conducting electricity only through the copper sheet when the fork is in position, reducing frictional loss. The combination of an electromagnet and a spring controls the extension and retraction of the probe. When the fork moves, the electromagnet attracts the probe away from the surface; after the probe is in position, the power is cut off, releasing the spring pressure to ensure reliable contact. This design ensures both freedom of movement and contact stability.

[0025] Furthermore, this application also proposes that the wire harness connection device includes:

[0026] • Probe holder for mounting the probe;

[0027] • An electromagnet fixed to the probe holder;

[0028] • A base corresponding to the electromagnet; the probe bracket is slidably mounted on the slide bar of the base; a spring is sleeved on the slide bar between the probe bracket and the base; when the fork moves, the electromagnet is energized and attracts the base, causing the probe to detach from the fork surface; when the fork is in position, the electromagnet is de-energized, and the spring pushes the probe to contact the brush plate.

[0029] This technical solution dynamically controls the contact state between the probe and the fork surface through the synergistic action of an electromagnet and a spring. A sliding rod and spring positioned between the probe holder and the base provide the probe holder with elastic sliding functionality. When the fork moves, the electromagnet is energized and attracts the base, using magnetic force to overcome spring resistance and lift the probe away from the fork surface, avoiding wear on the probe and fork surface caused by friction during movement. The probe holder is slidably mounted on the sliding rod, ensuring the stability of the probe's movement trajectory. After the fork reaches its final position, the electromagnet is de-energized, and the spring releases its stored elastic potential energy, pushing the probe holder to slide along the sliding rod, ensuring precise contact between the probe and the copper plate of the brush plate, thus activating the circuit of the fork tip collision switch. This design ensures a contactless state during fork movement and a reliable electrical connection after the fork reaches its final position, while also eliminating mechanical impact damage to the probe through the cooperation of the electromagnet and spring.

[0030] As can be seen from the above, the bidirectional telescopic fork structure provided in this application forms loading areas with different orientations by adjusting the bidirectional translation of the forks, which solves the problem of traditional forklifts requiring the entire vehicle to turn around and the waste of aisle space. It has the effect of improving the efficiency of operation in narrow aisles and optimizing the utilization rate of warehouse space. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the bidirectional telescopic fork structure, with the forks located on the right side of the carriage.

[0032] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the bidirectional telescopic fork structure, with the forks located on the left side of the carriage.

[0033] Figure 3 is a front sectional view of the bidirectional telescopic fork structure.

[0034] Figure 4 is a side sectional view of the bidirectional telescopic fork structure.

[0035] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of part A in Figure 4.

[0036] Figure 6 is a three-dimensional view of the forks from the outside.

[0037] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional view of the inside of the forks.

[0038] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the top surface of the forks.

[0039] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of part B in Figure 8.

[0040] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of section C in Figure 9. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0042] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0043] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise expressly defined.

[0044] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0045] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0046] In existing technologies, forks, as a crucial component of forklifts, typically employ a fixed structure, with the forks rigidly mounted and unable to move. When operating in narrow aisles, retrieving goods from the opposite side requires the entire vehicle to be turned around, resulting in decreased operational efficiency and wasted aisle space. While rotary forks can be adjusted in angle, they require high torque drive and have limited load-bearing capacity, and their large rotational space requirements make them unsuitable for confined environments.

[0047] To address the aforementioned problems, this application proposes a bidirectional telescopic fork structure. As shown in Figures 1-10, this bidirectional telescopic fork structure includes a carriage 3 and forks 4 mounted on the carriage 3. The forks 4 are laterally slidably mounted at the bottom of the carriage 3. A drive mechanism drives the forks 4 to move bidirectionally to adjust their extension position, and a fixing device 5 presses the forks 4 to prevent displacement.

[0048] In this solution, the carriage 3 refers to a transition component with forward and backward movement function, used to control the longitudinal movement of the forks 4. Lateral sliding of the forks 4 refers to their lateral movement along the bottom of the carriage 3, used to create loading areas facing different directions. The drive mechanism is the source of translational power. The fixing device 5 is the fork 4 positioning mechanism, used to stabilize the forks 4 during operation. Specifically, the carriage 3 controls the longitudinal movement of the forks 4 through forward and backward sliding. The forks 4 themselves move bidirectionally at the bottom of the carriage 3, forming loading areas on the left and right sides. When it is necessary to pick up goods on the opposite side, the drive mechanism drives the forks 4 to move laterally to the target side, and the fixing device 5 clamps and locks the forks 4 after they are in position. Through the above technical solution, this application realizes the bidirectional picking function of the forks 4, eliminating the need for the vehicle to turn around and improving the efficiency of operation in narrow passages. The translational adjustment of the forks 4 replaces the rotation action, reducing energy consumption and maintaining structural strength. Multi-level sliding coordinated control makes the positioning of the forks 4 more precise, avoiding the space waste problem of traditional solutions. The fixing device 5 ensures operational stability and prevents the risk of fork 4 displacement.

[0049] As shown in Figures 1-3, 6, and 7, the bottom of the carriage 3 is provided with a fork base 4.2. A sliding channel is constructed on the fork base 4.2, running through the opposite sides of the carriage 3. The forks 4 are movably positioned within the fork base 4.2. The fork base 4.2 refers to the load-bearing structure fixed to the bottom of the carriage 3, which can be implemented using a welded or bolted metal frame. Its function is to provide guidance and support for the bidirectional movement of the forks 4. The sliding channel is a linear movement path along the length of the fork base 4.2, which can be implemented using a groove or guide rail structure. The design, running through the two sides of the carriage 3, forms a bidirectional movement space. The moving position of the forks 4 means that the forks 4 and the sliding channel form a sliding pair, which can be achieved using a slider and guide rail cooperation method to ensure the stable translation of the forks 4 within the sliding channel.

[0050] In this design, the fork base 4.2 serves as the basic load-bearing component and is rigidly connected to the bottom of the carriage 3. Its laterally extending sliding channel runs through both sides of the carriage 3, forming a bidirectional through-flow movement space. The forks 4 are embedded in the guide rails of the sliding channel via sliders at the bottom, creating a constraint that allows only translational movement along the channel axis. When the drive mechanism applies thrust, the forks 4 move to the left or right along the sliding channel, with the range of movement limited by the channel length. When the forks 4 move outward, the ends of the forks 4 can extend from the left or right side of the carriage 3, forming loading areas with different orientations. This structure, through the sliding channel that limits the movement trajectory of the forks 4, prevents the forks 4 from shifting or wobbling. Simultaneously, the through-flow design ensures that the forks 4 are not obstructed by the space of the carriage 3 body when extending in both directions. Compared to existing technologies, the existing fork carriage 1 uses a fixed installation or an integral rotating structure. The former cannot adjust the position of the forks 4, resulting in insufficient operational flexibility, while the latter requires high torque drive and occupies rotation space. This solution achieves bidirectional position adjustment of the forks 4 within a limited space through the linear movement design of the fork base 4.2 and the sliding channel, eliminating the need for overall rotation and reducing energy consumption while avoiding space waste. Through this technical solution, this application enables flexible position adjustment of the forks 4 in narrow aisles. During operation, only the forks 4 need to be moved horizontally to switch loading directions, avoiding the need for the entire vehicle to turn around, significantly improving cargo storage and retrieval efficiency and reducing aisle width requirements. The cooperative structure between the fork base 4.2 and the sliding channel ensures load-bearing stability while making the movement of the forks 4 precise and controllable, effectively adapting to the space constraints of different operating scenarios.

[0051] In a specific implementation, a first rack 4.1 is welded onto the fork 4. The drive mechanism includes a translation drive component 4.3 located at the bottom of the carriage 3, and an adjusting gear 4.4 meshing with the first rack 4.1. The translation drive component 4.3 drives the first rack 4.1 to cause the fork 4 to slide bidirectionally relative to the carriage 3. The first rack 4.1 is a metal strip structure with continuous teeth welded onto the fork 4. Its tooth surface meshes with the tooth groove of the adjusting gear 4.4, transmitting driving force through tooth surface meshing. The translation drive component 4.3 is a mechanical device that outputs rotational power, which can be implemented using a servo motor or a hydraulic motor. Its output shaft is connected to the central shaft of the adjusting gear 4.4 via a coupling. The adjusting gear 4.4 is a cylindrical gear that meshes with the first rack 4.1, converting rotational motion into linear displacement through tooth surface contact. When the translation drive component 4.3 drives the adjusting gear 4.4 to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, the first rack 4.1, which meshes with the adjusting gear 4.4, will move linearly along the preset sliding channel at the bottom of the carriage 3. When the adjusting gear 4.4 rotates clockwise, the first rack 4.1 drives the fork 4 to translate to the left; when the adjusting gear 4.4 rotates counterclockwise, the first rack 4.1 drives the fork 4 to translate to the right. Since the meshing transmission between the gear and rack has a fixed transmission ratio, the moving distance of the fork 4 is linearly proportional to the number of rotations of the adjusting gear 4.4, thereby achieving precise displacement control. The entire drive mechanism acts directly on the fork 4 body, without the need for an intermediate transmission chain or rotating support structure.

[0052] As shown in Figures 3-5, this embodiment also proposes a fixing device 5 including a clamping cylinder 5.1 and a clamping spring 5.2 fixed inside the slide 3, a shaft 5.3 fixed on the piston rod of the clamping cylinder 5.1, and a bushing 5.4 axially movably sleeved on the lower end of the shaft 5.3; the clamping spring 5.2 is sleeved on the shaft 5.3 above the bushing 5.4, with both ends pressing against the shaft 5.3 and the bushing 5.4 respectively; when the piston rod of the clamping cylinder 5.1 presses down, the downward pressure is transmitted to the bushing 5.4 through the clamping spring 5.2, and the bushing 5.4 clamps the fork 4 and prevents overpressure damage.

[0053] The clamping cylinder 5.1 is a hydraulically driven linear actuator, which can be a double-acting or single-acting cylinder, used to provide axial clamping force. The clamping spring 5.2 is a mechanical element with elastic deformation capability, which can be a helical spring or a disc spring, used to buffer the impact force during the clamping process; in practice, a high-pressure spring is used to ensure the clamping force. The shaft 5.3 is a transmission component rigidly connected to the piston rod of the clamping cylinder 5.1, which can be made of medium carbon steel or alloy steel, used to transmit the output force of the clamping cylinder 5.1. The bushing 5.4 is a contact component that can slide axially along the shaft 5.3, which can be made of copper alloy or steel-based composite material, used to evenly transmit the clamping force to the surface of the fork 4. When the piston rod of the clamping cylinder 5.1 moves downward, the shaft 5.3 moves downward accordingly, the clamping spring 5.2 is compressed and undergoes elastic deformation; the elastic force of the spring is applied to the surface of the fork 4 through the bushing 5.4, achieving the clamping effect. During the contact between the bushing 5.4 and the fork 4, if there is a positional deviation of the fork 4 or a change in external load, the elastic deformation of the clamping spring 5.2 can adaptively adjust the clamping force to avoid stress concentration caused by rigid contact. The axial sliding design of the bushing 5.4 allows it to freely adjust the contact angle within a certain range, ensuring that the clamping force is evenly distributed on the surface of the fork 4.

[0054] This solution combines elastic elements and sliding components to form a buffer protection mechanism while maintaining clamping force, eliminating the risk of structural damage caused by rigid impact. Through the above technical solution, this application solves the problem of overpressure damage caused by rigid clamping when fixing the forks 4. Abnormal loads are absorbed through the elastic buffering effect of the spring, while ensuring that the forks 4 achieve a stable clamping and fixing effect after moving into position, avoiding displacement caused by vibration or impact during operation.

[0055] Furthermore, a pressure plate 5.5 is provided at the upper end of the shaft 5.3, and the upper end of the compression spring 5.2 presses against the pressure plate 5.5; the slide 3 is equipped with contact switches, including an upper contact switch 5.6 and a lower contact switch 5.7; when the piston rod drives the shaft 5.3 to move, the pressure plate 5.5 cooperates with the upper contact switch 5.6 to provide feedback on the movement state of the fork 4, and cooperates with the lower contact switch 5.7 to provide feedback on the clamping state. The pressure plate 5.5 refers to a plate-like structure set on the top of the shaft 5.3, which can be made of metal plate welded or bolted to the top of the shaft 5.3, used to transmit the pressure of the compression spring 5.2 and trigger the contact switches. The contact switch refers to an electrical signal triggering device containing independent contacts, which can be a mechanical micro switch or a spring contact switch. The upper contact switch 5.6 is arranged above the moving path of the pressure plate 5.5, and the lower contact switch 5.7 is arranged below the moving path of the pressure plate 5.5, with the distance between them determined according to the clamping stroke. The compression spring 5.2 refers to the elastic element sleeved on the shaft 5.3. Specifically, it can be a cylindrical helical spring, with its two ends pressing against the pressure plate 5.5 and the bushing 5.4 respectively. During the compression process, it buffers the pressure through elastic deformation and maintains a stable compression force.

[0056] Specifically, when the piston rod of the clamping cylinder 5.1 drives the shaft 5.3 downward, the pressure plate 5.5 moves synchronously with the shaft 5.3 and gradually disengages from the upper contact switch 5.6. At this time, the movement status signal is released, indicating that the fork 4 has entered the adjusted position. When the pressure plate 5.5 continues to move downward and contacts the lower contact switch 5.7, the clamping status signal is triggered, indicating that the bushing 5.4 has fully clamped the fork 4. When the fork 4 needs to be released, the piston rod drives the shaft 5.3 upward, the pressure plate 5.5 disengages from the lower contact switch 5.7 and contacts the upper contact switch 5.6. At this time, the clamping status signal is released, and the movement status signal is activated. Through the linkage between the pressure plate 5.5 and the contact switch, the movement and clamping status of the fork 4 are detected in real time and fed back to the control system, preventing the fixing device 5 from accidentally moving the fork 4 before it is fully released, or from handling goods before it is fully clamped. Through the above technical solution, this application realizes independent detection and real-time feedback of the movement and clamping state of the fork 4, ensuring that the fixing device 5 is allowed to move only after the fork 4 is fully released, and locks the fork 4 after clamping in place, preventing the fork 4 from slipping or the parts from being damaged by excessive pressure due to inaccurate operation, thereby improving operational safety and reliability.

[0057] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the carriage 3 is equipped with two sets of detection components 7; feedback components 4.7 are provided at both ends of the fork 4; when the fork 4 slides in both directions, the two sets of detection components 7 detect the feedback components 4.7 at both ends of the fork 4 to determine the extension direction and the position of the fork 4. The detection component 7 refers to the sensing device used to detect the position of the fork 4, which can be implemented using a photoelectric sensor or a proximity switch. Its function is to acquire the position signal of the fork 4 in real time. The feedback component 4.7 refers to the identifiable markings fixed at both ends of the fork 4, which can be implemented using a metal block, a reflector, or a through hole. Its function is to provide identifiable physical triggering conditions for the detection components 7. When the fork 4 moves in a certain direction, the feedback components 4.7 at both ends of the fork 4 will enter the sensing area of ​​the corresponding detection component 7. For example, when the fork 4 slides to the right to a preset position, the left feedback component 4.7 triggers the left detection component 7 to generate a first signal, and the right feedback component 4.7 moves away from the right detection component 7, causing the second signal to disappear. By analyzing the timing of signal changes from the two sets of detection components 7, the system can determine that the fork 4 has moved to the right and is in position. The corresponding feedback component 4.7 continuously senses the detected component 7 and generates a position locking signal. When the fork 4 slides to the left, the cooperation logic between the right-side detection component 7 and the feedback component 4.7 is reversed, thus achieving accurate judgment of bidirectional movement. Through the above technical solution, this application solves the problems of fuzzy direction recognition and misjudgment of the position status during bidirectional translation of the fork 4, avoiding cargo collisions or loading / unloading failures due to positioning errors, and improving operational efficiency and system stability.

[0058] As shown in Figure 6-10, two sets of collision sensing components are installed on the fork 4. Each set of collision sensing components includes a fork tip collision switch 6.5 located at the end of the fork 4. The two sets of fork tip collision switches 6.5 are adapted to different loading areas formed by the bidirectional extension and retraction of the fork 4. The collision sensing component refers to the device used to sense the contact or collision between the front end of the fork 4 and the goods. Specifically, it can be implemented using a contact mechanical switch or a pressure sensor, and the collision status is fed back through a trigger signal. The fork tip collision switch 6.5 is a contact sensor installed at the end of the fork 4. Specifically, it can be implemented using a micro switch or an elastic conductive sheet structure. When the front end of the fork 4 contacts the goods, the fork tip collision switch 6.5 is pressed and closed, generating an electrical signal. The different loading areas formed by bidirectional extension and retraction refer to the loading directions formed when the fork 4 extends to the left and right sides by lateral sliding. Specifically, it can be achieved by controlling the bidirectional translation of the fork 4 at the bottom of the carriage 3 through a drive mechanism. The two sets of fork tip collision switches 6.5 correspond to the front end positions when the fork 4 extends to the left and right sides, respectively. When the fork 4 extends to the left, the fork tip collision switch 6.5 at the left end is at the front of the loading area. If the front of the fork 4 comes into contact with the goods, the left fork tip collision switch 6.5 is triggered by pressure. When the fork 4 extends to the right, the fork tip collision switch 6.5 at the right end switches to the front detection position to monitor the collision status on the right side in real time. The two sets of collision sensing components work independently, and their trigger signals are automatically matched with the extension direction of the fork 4, ensuring that the collision signal at the corresponding front end can be accurately captured regardless of the extension or retraction state of the fork 4. During the movement of the fork 4, the installation position of the fork tip collision switch 6.5 is always synchronized with the front end of the current loading direction to avoid detection blind spots caused by changes in the position of the fork 4.

[0059] In the specific solution, the collision sensing component also includes a brush plate 6.1 connected to the fork tip collision switch 6.5; the brush plate 6.1 is installed on the other end of the fork 4 away from the corresponding fork tip collision switch 6.5; the carriage 3 is provided with a wiring harness connection device 6, whose probe 6.3 can selectively contact the surface of the fork 4; when the fork 4 moves into position in any direction, the probe 6.3 contacts the copper sheet of the brush plate 6.1, realizing the circuit connection and collision feedback of the fork tip collision switch 6.5.

[0060] The brush plate 6.1 refers to a conductive component with copper sheets on its surface, which can be achieved by copper plating on a metal substrate. It is used to form a conductive circuit by contacting the probe 6.3 when the fork 4 moves into position. The wiring harness connection device 6 refers to a circuit connection mechanism with an elastic probe 6.3, which can be achieved by a structure in which a probe bracket 6.6 and a slide bar 6.8 cooperate. It is used to establish stable electrical contact when the fork 4 is stationary, as described in detail below. The probe 6.3 refers to a conductive component with elastic telescopic function, which can be implemented using a spring-loaded copper needle. It is used to automatically contact the brush plate 6.1 to connect the circuit when the fork 4 is in position.

[0061] In some specific embodiments, a limit block is provided between the probe holder 6.6 and the base 6.7 to limit the maximum extension stroke of the probe 6.3; the surface of the copper sheet may be covered with an anti-oxidation coating to improve conductivity stability; the contact pressure between the probe 6.3 and the brush plate 6.1 is controlled by adjusting the spring preload.

[0062] Through the above technical solutions, this application achieves directional feedback of collision detection signals during the bidirectional movement of the forks, preventing interference between sensor signals from different directions; the non-contact circuit connection design avoids the risk of cable breakage caused by repeated bending; the compact contact matching structure adapts to the space constraints of narrow working environments, ensuring detection accuracy and equipment reliability.

[0063] In a specific implementation, the wiring harness connection device 6 includes a probe bracket 6.6 for mounting the probe 6.3, an electromagnet 6.4 fixed on the probe bracket 6.6, and a base 6.7 corresponding to the electromagnet 6.4. The probe bracket 6.6 is slidably mounted on a slide rod 6.8 of the base 6.7. A spring 6.9 is sleeved on the slide rod 6.8 between the probe bracket 6.6 and the base 6.7. When the fork 4 moves, the electromagnet 6.4 is energized and attracts the base 6.7, causing the probe 6.3 to detach from the surface of the fork 4. When the fork 4 is in position, the electromagnet 6.4 is de-energized, and the spring 6.9 pushes the probe 6.3 to contact the brush plate 6.1. The probe bracket 6.6 refers to the moving part that supports the probe 6.3. Specifically, it can be formed from aluminum alloy profiles and achieves axial displacement through the cooperation of a sliding sleeve and the slide rod 6.8. Its function is to provide a stable sliding path for the probe 6.3.

[0064] Among them, electromagnet 6.4 refers to an electromagnetic element that generates a magnetic field when energized. Specifically, it can be a DC electromagnetic coil structure, installed on the top of probe bracket 6.6, used to lift probe 6.3 by magnetically adsorbing the base 6.7 during the movement of fork 4. Slide rod 6.8 refers to a guide component that supports probe bracket 6.6. Specifically, it can be a chrome-plated optical shaft that cooperates with the linear bearing inside probe bracket 6.6 to ensure the vertical accuracy of the movement trajectory of probe bracket 6.6. Spring 6.9 refers to an energy storage elastic element. Specifically, it can be a cylindrical helical compression spring, sleeved on the outside of slide rod 6.8, used to provide a downward elastic thrust to reset probe 6.3 when electromagnet 6.4 is de-energized.

[0065] Specifically, during the bidirectional movement of the fork 4, the electromagnet 6.4 is energized, generating a magnetic attraction that causes the probe bracket 6.6 to overcome the resistance of the spring 6.9 and slide upwards along the slide bar 6.8, completely detaching the probe 6.3 from the surface of the fork 4, creating a non-contact state. When the fork 4 moves to its rightmost position, the left-end brush plate 6.1 aligns with the probe 6.3. At this point, the electromagnet 6.4 is de-energized, and the spring 6.9 pushes the probe bracket 6.6 to slide along the slide bar 6.8, causing the probe 6.3 to contact the copper plate of the brush plate 6.1, and activating the circuit of the right-side fork tip collision switch 6.5. When the fork 4 moves to its leftmost position, the right-end brush plate 6.1 aligns with the probe 6.3, and the probe 6.3 contacts the brush plate 6.1 under the action of the spring 6.9, activating the circuit of the left-side fork tip collision switch 6.5. This method, through contact matching corresponding to physical positions, ensures that only the collision switch on the corresponding side is activated when moving to the correct position in different directions. Through the above technical solution, this application achieves controllable contact separation between the probe 6.3 and the surface of the fork 4, avoiding wear caused by friction between the probe 6.3 and the surface of the fork 4 during the fork 4 movement phase, and ensuring accurate triggering of circuit signals through elastic contact during the positioning phase. This device solves the technical defects of poor contact caused by wear accumulation in traditional fixed probes, while eliminating the space occupation limitations of rotary contact mechanisms.

[0066] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0067] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bidirectional telescopic fork structure, comprising a carriage (3) and forks (4) mounted on the carriage (3); characterized in that: - The fork (4) is slidably disposed at the bottom of the carriage (3); - Drive mechanism drives the fork (4) to slide in both directions relative to the carriage (3) to adjust the extension position of the fork (4) relative to the carriage (3) to form loading areas with different orientations; - Fixing device (5) is used to press the fork (4) in place after it moves into position to prevent displacement.

2. The bidirectional telescopic fork structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: - The bottom of the carriage (3) is provided with a fork base (4.2); - A sliding channel is constructed on the fork base (4.2) to pass through the opposite sides of the carriage; - The fork (4) is movably disposed in the fork base (4.2).

3. The bidirectional telescopic fork structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: - A first rack (4.1) is welded onto the fork (4); - The drive mechanism includes a translation drive component (4.3) located at the bottom of the carriage (3) and an adjusting gear (4.4) meshing with the first rack (4.1) of the fork; - The translation drive component (4.3) drives the fork (4) to slide relative to the carriage (3) in a bidirectional translational manner by driving the first rack (4.1).

4. The bidirectional telescopic fork structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: - The fixing device (5) includes a clamping cylinder (5.1) and a clamping spring (5.2) fixed inside the carriage (3); - The clamping spring (5.2) transmits the downward pressure of the clamping cylinder (5.1) to the fork (4) to prevent overpressure damage to the fork.

5. The bidirectional telescopic fork structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: - The fixing device (5) further includes a shaft (5.3) fixed on the piston rod of the clamping cylinder (5.1); - A bushing (5.4) is axially movably sleeved at the lower end of the shaft (5.3); - The clamping spring (5.2) is sleeved on the shaft (5.3) above the bushing (5.4), and its two ends press against the shaft (5.3) and the bushing (5.4) respectively; - When the piston rod of the clamping cylinder (5.1) is pressed down, the downward pressure is transmitted to the bushing (5.4) through the clamping spring (5.2), and the bushing (5.4) clamps the fork (4).

6. The bidirectional telescopic fork structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: - A pressure plate (5.5) is provided at the upper end of the shaft (5.3), and the upper end of the compression spring (5.2) presses against the pressure plate (5.5); - A contact switch is provided inside the carriage (3), including an upper contact switch (5.6) and a lower contact switch (5.7); - When the piston rod drives the shaft (5.3) to move, the pressure plate (5.5) cooperates with the upper contact switch (5.6) and the lower contact switch (5.7) to provide feedback on the fork movement status and the pressing status, respectively.

7. The bidirectional telescopic fork structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: - The slide (3) is provided with two sets of detection components (7); - Feedback components (4.7) are provided at both ends of the fork (4); - When the fork (4) slides in both directions, the two sets of detection components detect the feedback components at both ends of the fork respectively to determine the fork extension direction and the position status.

8. The bidirectional telescopic fork structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: - Two sets of collision sensing components are provided on the same fork (4); - Each set of collision sensing components includes a fork tip collision switch (6.5) provided at the end of the fork, which is used to provide feedback on the collision signal at the front end of the fork (4); - The two sets of fork tip collision switches (6.5) are adapted to different orientation loading areas formed by the bidirectional extension and retraction of the fork.

9. The bidirectional telescopic fork structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: - The collision sensing component also includes a brush plate (6.1) connected to the fork tip collision switch (6.5). The brush plate (6.1) is mounted on the fork (4) at the other end away from the corresponding fork tip collision switch. - A wire harness connection device (6) is provided on the carriage (3), and its probe (6.3) can selectively contact the surface of the fork. - When the fork (4) moves into position in any direction, the probe (6.3) contacts the copper sheet of the brush plate to realize circuit connection and collision feedback.

10. The bidirectional telescopic fork structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: - The wiring harness connection device (6) includes: - a probe bracket (6.6) for mounting the probe (6.3); - an electromagnet (6.4) fixed on the probe bracket (6.6); - a base (6.7) corresponding to the electromagnet (6.4); - the probe bracket (6.6) is slidably mounted on the slide bar (6.8) of the base (6.7); - a spring (6.9) is sleeved on the slide bar (6.8) between the probe bracket (6.6) and the base (6.7); - when the fork moves, the electromagnet (6.4) is energized, attracting the base (6.7) and causing the probe (6.3) to detach from the fork surface; - when the fork is in position, the electromagnet is de-energized, and the spring (6.9) pushes the probe (6.3) to contact the brush plate (6.1).

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