Pallet fork with automatic lifting function
By designing an automatic lifting fork, and utilizing the combination of the traveling mechanism and the lifting mechanism with guide wheels and sliding contact lines for power supply, the problem of limited fork working range was solved, achieving flexible cargo transportation and cost savings.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ANHUI RAYO AUTOMATION TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
The existing forks have a limited horizontal working range, which cannot meet the transportation needs of goods of different heights.
A fork with automatic lifting function was designed, including a traveling mechanism, a lifting mechanism and forks. The traveling mechanism slides along a track, and the lifting mechanism realizes the lifting of the forks through a screw and nut structure. Combined with guide wheels and sliding contact lines for power supply, the movement stability and power supply are ensured.
It expands the working range of the forks, reduces equipment costs, and is suitable for scenarios where positional accuracy requirements are not strict, enabling flexible operation of the forks at different height positions.
Smart Images

Figure CN224242650U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of forks, specifically to a fork with an automatic lifting function. Background Technology
[0002] Forks are key components in logistics handling equipment such as forklifts and stackers, used to directly support goods.
[0003] Chinese patent number 202011322477.3 discloses a forklift platform comprising: a main frame; a fork assembly connected to the main frame, the fork assembly including a base and a fork mechanism movably connected to the base, the fork mechanism being used for reciprocating extension and retraction between opposite sides of the fork assembly; and a transmission mechanism connected to the base, used to drive the base to reciprocate along the direction from the top to the bottom of the main frame; wherein the extension and retraction direction of the fork mechanism is set at an angle to the movement direction of the base, and the fork mechanism is used to transport goods on at least one side of the main frame. This method enables the lifting and lowering of the forks to transport goods at different heights; however, because the main frame is fixed, the horizontal working range of the forks is limited. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a fork with an automatic lifting function, which has a traveling mechanism that can slide along a track, thus providing a larger working space.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a fork with automatic lifting function, including a fixed track, a traveling mechanism capable of traveling along the track, a lifting mechanism connected to the traveling mechanism, and forks connected to the lifting mechanism.
[0006] The walking mechanism includes a first drive motor, a walking frame, and a first walking wheel fixedly connected to the walking frame. The lifting mechanism is fixedly connected to the walking frame. The first drive motor drives the first walking wheel to walk along the upper surface of the track.
[0007] Preferably, the lifting mechanism includes a second drive motor, a lifter, and a first connecting plate. The second drive motor drives the lifter to lift and lower. One end of the lifter is connected to the traveling frame through the first connecting plate, and the other end is connected to the forks.
[0008] Preferably, the lifting device includes a lead screw and a nut. One end of the lead screw is connected to the fork and the other end is suspended. The nut is rotatably connected to the first connecting plate, and the second drive motor drives the nut to rotate.
[0009] Preferably, two lifting devices are provided, with the two lifting devices located on opposite sides of the traveling frame;
[0010] The second drive unit is connected to the two lifters, driving the two lifters to rise and fall simultaneously.
[0011] Preferably, a second traveling wheel is fixedly connected to the lower part of the first connecting plate, and the second traveling wheel cooperates with the lower surface of the track.
[0012] Preferably, the lower surface of the track is inclined upwards, and the second traveling wheel is perpendicular to the inclined lower surface of the track.
[0013] Preferably, the forks with automatic lifting function also include a sliding contact line, the conductor rail of which is fixedly installed along the length of the track, and the collector brush of the sliding contact line is fixedly connected to the traveling frame.
[0014] According to the above technical solution, the traveling mechanism of this utility model travels along the track, driving the lifting mechanism and forks above the traveling mechanism to reciprocate linearly along the track. When the forks move along the length of the guide rail to the target position, the lifting mechanism starts to operate, and the forks can be lifted and lowered through the lifting action of the lifting mechanism. After the lifting mechanism is in place, the forks extend to complete the work of picking up or placing the part.
[0015] When the height to which the forks need to be raised or lowered is not high, a simple mechanical structure with a lifting function can be used to reduce equipment costs and save expenses. In one embodiment, the lifting mechanism can be set as a scissor fork structure, which can raise the height of the forks when needed. Placing sensors at different stop positions can control the lifting height of the lifting mechanism; however, with this control method, the lifting accuracy of the lifting mechanism is limited, and it is only suitable for scenarios where positional accuracy requirements are not strict.
[0016] Two tracks are provided, and two first traveling wheels are provided at each end of the traveling frame. The two first traveling wheels cooperate with the same track, one in front of the other. Four first traveling wheels are provided below the traveling frame, which cooperate with the track. These first traveling wheels can reliably support the traveling frame. At the same time, by controlling the movement of the first traveling wheels, the traveling frame can be displaced along the length of the track, thereby driving the forks to move along the track, so that the forks can work within the entire range covered by the track, thus expanding the working range of the forks.
[0017] The first traveling wheel is equipped with guide wheels, which are fixedly connected to the traveling frame. Two guide wheels are provided, located opposite each other on both sides of the track. Preferably, two sets of guide wheels are provided on any track, with each set located near one of the two first traveling wheels to guide the first traveling wheels.
[0018] The first drive motor is located at one end of the traveling frame, and simultaneously drives the two first traveling wheels at that end. The two first traveling wheels at the other end are configured as unpowered driven wheels. The simultaneous drive of the two first traveling wheels at the first end by the first drive motor enables the two first traveling wheels to move synchronously, resulting in more stable movement of the traveling frame.
[0019] Other features and advantages of this invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description
[0020] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the following detailed description to explain the present invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a forklift with automatic lifting function;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the traveling mechanism and the lifting mechanism;
[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Top view;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting mechanism;
[0025] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A partial view.
[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures
[0027] 1 Track 21 First Drive
[0028] 22 Walking frame 23 First walking wheel
[0029] 24 guide wheels 31 second drive motor
[0030] 32 First connecting plate 33 Lead screw
[0031] 34 Nut 35 Guide Mechanism
[0032] 321 Second traveling wheel 41 Conductor rail
[0033] 42 brushes and 5 forks
[0034] 38 Second connecting plate Detailed Implementation
[0035] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model.
[0036] In this utility model, unless otherwise stated, directional terms such as "both ends," "both sides," "lower surface," and "upward tilt" in the terminology only represent the orientation of the term in its conventional use or are common terms understood by those skilled in the art, and should not be regarded as limitations on the term.
[0037] See Figure 1 The aforementioned fork with automatic lifting function includes a fixed rail 1, a traveling mechanism capable of traveling along the rail 1, a lifting mechanism connected to the traveling mechanism, and forks 5 connected to the lifting mechanism.
[0038] The walking mechanism includes a first drive motor 21, a walking frame 22, and a first walking wheel 23 fixedly connected to the walking frame 22. The lifting mechanism is fixedly connected to the walking frame 22. The first drive motor 21 drives the first walking wheel 23 to walk along the upper surface of the track 1.
[0039] Through the implementation of the above technical solution, the traveling mechanism moves along the track 1, driving the lifting mechanism and forks 5 above the traveling mechanism to reciprocate linearly along the track 1. When the forks 5 move along the length of the guide rail 1 to the target position, the lifting mechanism starts to operate, and the forks 5 can be lifted and lowered through the lifting action of the lifting mechanism. After the lifting mechanism is in place, the forks 5 extend to complete the work of picking up or placing the part.
[0040] When the height to which the forks need to be raised or lowered is not high, a simple mechanical structure with a lifting function can be used to reduce equipment costs and save expenses. In one embodiment, the lifting mechanism can be set as a scissor fork structure, which can raise the height of the forks 5 when it is necessary to raise or lower them. Setting sensors at different stop positions can realize the control of the lifting height of the lifting mechanism. However, when using this control method, the lifting accuracy of the lifting mechanism is limited, and it can only be used in scenarios where the positional accuracy requirements are not strict.
[0041] Two tracks 1 are provided, and two first traveling wheels 23 are respectively provided at both ends of the traveling frame 22. The two first traveling wheels 23 cooperate with the same track 1 one after the other. Four first traveling wheels 23 are provided below the traveling frame 22 to cooperate with the track 1. These first traveling wheels 23 can reliably support the traveling frame 22. At the same time, by controlling the movement of the first traveling wheels 23, the traveling frame 22 can be displaced along the length direction of the track 1, thereby driving the fork 5 to move along the track 1, so that the fork 5 can work within the entire coverage area of the track 1, thus expanding the working range of the fork 5.
[0042] The first traveling wheel 23 is equipped with guide wheels 24, which are fixedly connected to the traveling frame 22. Two guide wheels 24 are provided, located opposite each other on both sides of the track 1. Preferably, two sets of guide wheels 24 are provided on any track 1, and the two sets of guide wheels 24 are located near the two first traveling wheels 23 to guide the first traveling wheels 23.
[0043] The first drive motor 21 is located at one end of the walking frame 22. The first drive motor 21 simultaneously drives the two first walking wheels 23 at that end, while the two first walking wheels 23 at the other end are configured as unpowered driven wheels. The simultaneous drive of the two first walking wheels 23 by the first drive motor 21 enables the two first walking wheels 23 to move synchronously, making the movement of the walking frame 22 more stable.
[0044] In this embodiment, preferably, the lifting mechanism includes a second drive motor 31, a lifter and a first connecting plate 32. The second drive motor 31 drives the lifter to lift. One end of the lifter is connected to the traveling frame 22 through the first connecting plate 32, and the other end is connected to the fork 5.
[0045] The lifting mechanism is fixedly connected to the traveling frame 22 via the first connecting plate 32. Under the action of the first connecting plate 32, the lifting mechanism can move together with the traveling frame 22. In order to ensure the stability of the lifting mechanism during operation, in addition to the first connecting plate 32 being fixedly connected to the traveling frame 22, the lifting mechanism can also be fixedly connected to the traveling frame 22 through its structure.
[0046] One end of the lifting device is connected to the fork 5 via the second connecting plate 38. The lifting device drives the second connecting plate 38 to rise or fall, and at the same time drives the fork 5 above the second connecting plate 38 to rise or fall.
[0047] In this embodiment, preferably, the lifting device includes a lead screw 33 and a nut 34. One end of the lead screw 33 is connected to the fork 5, and the other end is suspended. The nut 34 is rotatably connected to the first connecting plate 32, and the second drive motor 31 drives the nut 34 to rotate.
[0048] The lifting device is equipped with a ball screw structure. By controlling the speed of the motor, the lifting speed of the upgrading mechanism can be controlled. By controlling the number of rotations of the motor, the height of the second connecting plate 38 can be controlled.
[0049] Preferably, the elevator also includes a guide structure, which is arranged parallel to the lead screw 33. Under the action of the guide structure, the elevator runs more smoothly.
[0050] In this embodiment, preferably, two lifting devices are provided, with the two lifting devices located on both sides of the traveling frame 22 respectively;
[0051] The second drive motor 31 is fixedly connected to the traveling frame 22. Through the transmission mechanism, the second drive motor 31 is simultaneously connected to two lifting devices, driving the two lifting devices to lift and lower at the same time, thereby achieving the purpose of lifting and lowering both ends of the forks 5 at the same time.
[0052] In this embodiment, preferably, a second traveling wheel 321 is fixedly connected to the lower part of the first connecting plate 32, and the second traveling wheel 321 cooperates with the lower surface of the track 1.
[0053] When the second drive motor 31 drives the lead screw 33 to extend, the lead screw 33 will apply an upward pulling force to the first connecting plate 32. Under the action of this pulling force, the first connecting plate 32 may deform, or the lifting mechanism may vibrate, which will lead to unstable operation of the fork 5.
[0054] By fixing a second traveling wheel 321 below the first connecting plate 32, when the lead screw 33 extends, the second traveling wheel 321 will restrict the position of the first connecting plate 32 by cooperating with the track 1, thereby preventing the first connecting plate 32 from deforming or shaking.
[0055] Two second traveling wheels 321 are provided, and the two second traveling wheels 321 are located at both ends of the first connecting plate 32 respectively. When the lifting mechanism is lifted, the two second traveling wheels 321 will be pulled upward by the lead screw 33. Through the cooperation of the second traveling wheels 321 and the track 1, the first connecting plate 32 can be limited, while ensuring the rigidity of the first connecting plate 32 and preventing the traveling frame 22 from shaking when lifting starts or stops.
[0056] During the movement of the first traveling wheel 23, the second traveling wheel 321 can also move along the small surface of the track 1. Therefore, by setting the second traveling wheel 321, the first connecting plate 32 can be limited without affecting the lateral movement of the traveling frame 22.
[0057] In this embodiment, preferably, the lower surface of the track 1 is inclined upwards, and the second traveling wheel 321 is perpendicular to the inclined lower surface of the track 1.
[0058] When the lifting mechanism is raised, the second traveling wheel 321 applies pressure to the lower surface of the track 1. This pressure is perpendicular to the lower surface of the upwardly inclined track 1 and points outward from the track 1. The two second traveling wheels 321 on the left and right act simultaneously, so that the horizontal forces on the traveling frame 22 cancel each other out, which can ensure the positional stability of the traveling frame 22 during the lifting process.
[0059] In this embodiment, preferably, the fork 5 with automatic lifting function also includes a sliding contact line, the conductor rail 41 of the sliding contact line is fixedly arranged along the length direction of the track 1, and the collector brush 42 of the sliding contact line is fixedly connected to the traveling frame 22.
[0060] The drive motors of the first drive motor 21, the second drive motor 31, and the fork 5 are all fixedly connected to the traveling frame 22. By setting a sliding contact line, the drive motors of the first drive motor 21, the second drive motor 31, and the fork 5 can all draw power through the sliding contact line, which can avoid the problem of motor wiring difficulties caused by the reciprocating motion of the traveling mechanism.
[0061] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of the present invention, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
[0062] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable way without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, this utility model will not describe the various possible combinations separately.
[0063] Furthermore, various different embodiments of this utility model can be combined in any way, as long as they do not violate the spirit of this utility model, they should also be regarded as the content disclosed by this utility model.
Claims
1. A forklift with automatic lifting function, characterized in that, It includes a fixed track (1), a traveling mechanism that can travel along the track (1), a lifting mechanism connected to the traveling mechanism, and forks (5) connected to the lifting mechanism; The walking mechanism includes a first drive motor (21), a walking frame (22) and a first walking wheel (23) fixedly connected to the walking frame (22). The lifting mechanism is fixedly connected to the walking frame (22). The first drive motor (21) drives the first walking wheel (23) to walk along the upper surface of the track (1).
2. The forklift with automatic lifting function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting mechanism includes a second drive motor (31), a lifter and a first connecting plate (32). The second drive motor (31) drives the lifter to lift. One end of the lifter is connected to the traveling frame (22) through the first connecting plate (32), and the other end is connected to the forks (5).
3. The forklift with automatic lifting function according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lifting device includes a lead screw (33) and a nut (34). One end of the lead screw (33) is connected to the fork (5), and the other end is suspended. The nut (34) is rotatably connected to the first connecting plate (32), and the second drive motor (31) drives the nut (34) to rotate.
4. The forklift with automatic lifting function according to claim 2, characterized in that, Two lifting devices are provided, and the two lifting devices are located on both sides of the traveling frame (22); The second drive unit (31) is connected to the two lifters and drives the two lifters to lift simultaneously.
5. The forklift with automatic lifting function according to claim 4, characterized in that, A second traveling wheel (321) is fixedly connected to the lower part of the first connecting plate (32), and the second traveling wheel (321) is engaged with the lower surface of the track (1).
6. The forklift with automatic lifting function according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lower surface of the track (1) is set to be inclined upwards, and the second traveling wheel (321) is perpendicular to the inclined lower surface of the track (1).
7. The forklift with automatic lifting function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The forks with automatic lifting function also include a sliding contact line, the conductor rail (41) of which is fixedly installed along the length of the rail (1), and the collector brush (42) of the sliding contact line is fixedly connected to the traveling frame (22).