A fork assembly for a lifting hopper mixer

Abstract

A fork assembly for a lifting hopper mixer includes a connecting shaft connected to a tilting drive mechanism, a connecting steel connected to the connecting shaft, two forks connected to the connecting steel and symmetrically distributed at both ends, and a locking nut installed on the end of the fork away from the connecting steel. Fork connectors are provided at both ends of the connecting steel. The fork connectors connect to the connecting steel after the forks pass through it, and after connection, they can partially cover the forks. Simultaneously, after the forks connect to the hopper, they can also detect the clamping force of the locking nut on the forks. A locking nut connector is provided at the end of the fork away from the connecting steel, and the locking nut connector is threaded to the locking nut. After connection, it can form a non-displacement constraint on the hopper to maintain the hopper in contact with the fork connector. The beneficial effect of this utility model is that the fork connector, while connecting to the forks, also has a clamping force detection function, ensuring that the locking nut is tightened without over-tightening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of pharmaceutical technology, and in particular to a fork assembly for a lifting hopper mixer. Background Technology

[0002] Hopper mixers are commonly used mechanical equipment in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, and chemicals, capable of mixing various solid materials. A hopper mixer mainly consists of a body and hoppers. The body is equipped with a tilting and deceleration mechanism for tilting the hoppers, thus mixing the various solid materials within. This tilting and deceleration mechanism is typically located inside a tilting and deceleration gearbox. To ensure the tilting and deceleration mechanism can better tilt the hoppers and achieve material mixing, the body usually also includes a lifting device to elevate the hoppers, keeping them detached from the ground during tilting.

[0003] Publication (Announcement) No.: CN203790878U discloses a lifting hopper mixer, including a machine body, a tilting reducer box, and a hopper. The inner end of the tilting reducer box is movably installed on the machine body, and the outer end of the tilting reducer box is provided with a fixing device for fixing the hopper. The machine body is also provided with a lifting device for lifting the hopper. The lifting device includes a motor, a lead screw, a sprocket, and a chain. The lead screw is placed vertically, and the vertical lower end of the lead screw is connected to the output shaft of the motor. The sprocket is fixed on the vertical upper end of the lead screw. The chain is wound around the sprocket, and one end of the chain is fixed to the machine body, and the other end of the chain is fixed to the inner end of the tilting reducer box. This type of hopper mixer uses a tilting hopper to mix materials, but it lacks pressure detection of the locking handwheel. The lack of detection can lead to two problems: First, the locking may not be complete, causing the hopper to shake during mixing. This shaking will result in the mixing force not being transmitted properly, i.e., the force will be dispersed, thus affecting the mixing effect. Second, the locking may be too complete, which may cause the threaded structure connected to the locking handwheel to break, thus accelerating the damage to the threaded structure. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a fork assembly for a lifting hopper mixer to solve the aforementioned problems.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is as follows: The fork assembly of this lifting hopper mixer includes a connecting shaft connected to the tilting drive mechanism, a connecting steel connected to the connecting shaft, two forks connected to the connecting steel and symmetrically distributed at both ends, and a locking nut installed on the end of the fork away from the connecting steel. Fork connecting parts are provided at both ends of the connecting steel. The fork connecting parts are connected to the connecting steel after the fork passes through it, and can cover part of the fork after connection. At the same time, the clamping force of the locking nut on the fork can be detected after the fork connects to the hopper. A locking nut connecting part is provided at the end of the fork away from the connecting steel. The locking nut connecting part is used to be threadedly connected to the locking nut, and can form a non-displacement constraint on the hopper after connection to keep the hopper in contact with the fork connecting part.

[0006] Further improvements include a fork connecting part and a pressure part. The fork connecting part is connected to the connecting steel and has an insertion space for the fork to be inserted into. The feedback part of the pressure part is connected to the connecting steel, and the trigger part moves on the fork. When the hopper is installed on the fork, the pressure sensing of the trigger feedback part is achieved by operating the locking nut to push the trigger part to move.

[0007] Further improvements include a fork link connection comprising a insert rod, a round nut, and two side blocks. The side blocks are fixed inside the connecting steel and form a gap for the fork link to pass through. The connecting steel has a through hole at a position matching the gap, through which the fork link passes. The through hole on the lower end face of the connecting steel is threaded to the fork link. The round nut is also threaded onto the part of the fork link that protrudes from the through hole on the lower end face. The insert rod is inserted into the fork link to achieve an interference fit, and a rear cover that hides the round nut is bolted to it.

[0008] Further improvements include a pressure module and a pressure plate. The pressure module is fixed to the upper end of the connecting steel by bolts. The pressure plate is mounted on the fork and is movable. One end of the pressure plate extends toward the pressure module and is provided with a push rod that abuts against the trigger switch of the pressure module. The trigger part of the pressure module is provided with a pressed block that can extend into the pressure plate.

[0009] Further improvements include a buffer sleeve that is bonded to the pressure plate and deformable under pressure.

[0010] Further improvements include a reinforcing sleeve fixed to the upper end of the connecting steel on the fork, with a front cover on the reinforcing sleeve to conceal the pressure module.

[0011] Further improvements include a locking nut connector comprising a rod connector, a locking nut connector, and a guide rod. The rod connector is fixed to the end of the fork away from the connecting steel. The locking nut connector is connected to the rod connector by bolts and threadedly connected to the locking nut. The guide rod is located in the center of the locking nut connector and threadedly connected to it.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0013] 1. The fork connector of this utility model not only connects to the fork but also has a clamping force detection function. The clamping force is used to control the screwing depth of the locking nut, which ensures locking without over-locking.

[0014] 2. The locking nut of this utility model is connected to the locking nut connector set on the fork. In this way, when the thread structure of the locking nut connector and the locking nut threaded connection is damaged, only the accessory with the structure needs to be replaced. Unlike when the thread structure is directly set on the fork, the fork needs to be replaced, thus reducing costs. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This utility model Figure 1 A magnified view of part A in the middle;

[0017] Figure 3 This utility model Figure 1 A magnified view of part B in the diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0019] Referring to the attached diagram: This lifting hopper mixer's fork assembly includes a connecting shaft 1 connected to a tilting drive mechanism, a connecting steel 2 connected to the connecting shaft 1, two forks 3 connected to the connecting steel 2 and symmetrically distributed at both ends, and a locking nut 4 installed at the end of the fork 3 away from the connecting steel 2. Both ends of the connecting steel 2 are provided with fork connecting parts 5. The fork connecting parts 5 connect to the fork 3 after it passes through the connecting steel 2, and can cover part of the fork 3 after connection. At the same time, after the fork 3 connects to the hopper, it can also apply pressure to the hopper. The end of the fork 3 away from the connecting steel 2 is provided with a locking nut connecting part 6, which is used to thread the locking nut 4. After connection, it can form a non-displacement constraint on the hopper to keep the hopper in contact with the fork connecting part 5. The principle of this utility model is that the connecting steel 2, the fork 3, and the locking nut 4 constitute a connecting frame structure for connecting the hopper. The connecting shaft 1 is used to connect the connecting frame structure to the tilting drive mechanism. After connection, the tilting drive mechanism can drive the hopper to lift up and down and tilt circumferentially to mix and stir the material in the hopper. The locking nut 4 is threadedly connected to the locking nut connector 6. In order to ensure the locking effect of the locking nut 4 on the hopper, the fork connector 5 has a clamping force detection function while connecting to the fork 3. This can detect the clamping force of the locking nut on the hopper, and avoid the hopper from moving on the connecting frame structure due to improper installation. This also avoids the hopper shaking during mixing and processing, which would cause the mixing force to be not transmitted properly. At the same time, the detected clamping force can be used to determine whether the locking nut 4 is installed in place. After installation, no further tightening is required. This also protects the thread structure of the locking nut connector 6, preventing the thread structure from breaking.

[0020] The fork connector 5 includes a fork connector 51 and a pressure part 52. The fork connector 51 is connected to the connecting steel 2 and has an insertion space for the fork 3 to be inserted into. The feedback part of the pressure part 52 is connected to the connecting steel 2, and the trigger part moves on the fork 3. When the hopper is installed on the fork 3, the pressure sensing of the feedback part is triggered by pushing the trigger part to move. This arrangement ensures that the fork connector 5 has both a part connected to the fork 3 and a part that can apply pressure to the hopper. Furthermore, the pressure triggering of the pressure part 52 requires contact with the hopper to occur, so that the pressure part 52 is in an unactivated state when it is not in contact with an object. This improves the accuracy of the pressure and prevents it from being affected by other factors.

[0021] The fork link connecting part 51 includes a plug 511, a round nut 512, and two side stops 513. The two side stops 513 are fixed inside the connecting steel 2 and form a gap for the fork link 3 to pass through. The connecting steel 2 has a through hole 21 at a position matching the gap, through which the fork link 3 passes. The through hole 21 located on the lower end face of the connecting steel 2 is threadedly connected to the fork link 3. The round nut 512 is also threadedly connected to the part of the fork link 3 that protrudes from the through hole 21 on the lower end face. The plug 511 is inserted into the fork link 3 to achieve an interference fit. The rear cover 7, which is bolted to the round nut 512 and concealed, is fitted with a profile steel 2 that is hollow inside, allowing the side stop 513 to be placed inside the steel 2 and then fixed by welding. The gap between the two side stop 513 serves as the insertion space, and the steel 2 has a through hole 21 that matches the position of the insertion space (i.e., the gap), allowing the fork 3 to pass through the through hole 21 located on the upper end face of the steel 2. The fork 3 enters the connecting steel 2 and the insertion space. Then, through the through hole 21 on the lower end face of the connecting steel 2, part of the fork 3 extends out. In order to determine the length of the extended fork 3 in time, the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 21 on the lower end face is machined to form a thread structure. The part of the fork 3 inserted into the through hole 21 and the extended part are also provided with thread structure. In this way, the length of the extended fork 3 can be determined in time by means of threaded connection. In order to further ensure the installation stability, a round nut 512 is also provided on the extended part of the fork 3 for fixing. At the same time, in order to prevent the round nut 512 from being affected by environmental factors, an insert rod 511 with an interference fit is inserted into the fork 3. The back cover 7 connected by bolts on the insert rod 511 hides the round nut 512, that is, to achieve isolation setting, reduce the influence of environmental factors on the round nut 512, avoid the round nut 512 from rusting and other problems, and also avoid the thread structure of the fork 3 and the thread structure of the through hole 21 from rusting.

[0022] The pressure unit 52 includes a pressure module 521 and a pressure plate 522. The pressure module 521 is fixed to the upper end face of the connecting steel 2 by bolts. The pressure plate 522 is fitted onto the fork 3 and is movable. One end of the pressure plate extends toward the pressure module 521 and is provided with a push rod 5221 that abuts against the trigger switch of the pressure module 521. The trigger switch of the pressure module 521 is provided with a pressed block 5211 that can extend into the pressure plate 522. The pressure module 521 is the feedback part, used to apply pressure to the hopper. It is fixed to the upper end face of the connecting steel 2 by bolts, i.e., at the position of the hopper. The pressure plate 522 is the trigger part. Its own movement causes the trigger switch of the pressure module to be stressed, thereby activating the pressure module 521. To ensure the accuracy of triggering, an I-shaped groove is provided inside the pressure plate 522, so that the push rod 5221 and the pressed block 5211 can abut against the pressure module 521. The pressure block 5211 can coexist within the groove to maintain a contacting state. Simultaneously, a cap 52111 is provided on the I-shaped groove to contact the pressure plate 522. The contact between the cap 52111 and the pressure plate 522 occurs after the pressure plate 522 is moved by the hopper. While the pressure plate 522 is moving, the push rod 5221 and the pressed block 5211 remain stationary. The cap 52111 gradually deforms as the pressure plate 522 moves, eventually contacting the push rod 5221. At this time, the pressed block 5211 is also subjected to force, thus achieving point-touch activation. Furthermore, the I-shaped groove contains a wave-shaped elastic washer that works with the pressed block 5211, and a shaft elastic retaining ring fitted on the push rod 5221. The wave-shaped elastic washer allows the pressure block 522 to quickly reset after the hopper exits, while the shaft elastic retaining ring restricts the movement of the push rod 5221.

[0023] The fork lever 3 is also fitted with a buffer sleeve 8 that is bonded to the pressure plate 522 and can be deformed under pressure. That is, when the hopper is loaded onto the fork lever 3, it will not collide with the pressure plate 522 under the action of the buffer sleeve 8, that is, the contact force is released to the buffer sleeve 8. After being subjected to force, the buffer sleeve 8 will transfer the force to the pressure plate 522 and will also deform. Deformation means that the buffer sleeve 8 has good durability and will not have a hard contact collision with the hopper.

[0024] The fork 3 is also fitted with a reinforcing sleeve 9 fixed to the upper end of the connecting steel 2. The reinforcing sleeve 9 is provided with a front cover 10 to hide the pressure module 521. The reinforcing sleeve 9 is used to cover the fork 3, which can appropriately increase the structural strength of the fork 3, thus increasing its resistance to deformation and enabling it to withstand the weight of the hopper (its own weight + the weight of the material). The function of the front cover 10 is the same as that of the rear cover 7, that is, to achieve isolation, reduce the influence of environmental factors on the pressure module 521, and ensure the pressure accuracy and durability of the pressure module 521.

[0025] The locking nut connector 6 includes a rod connector 61, a locking nut connector 62, and a guide rod 63. The rod connector 61 is fixed to the end of the fork 3 away from the connecting steel 2. The locking nut connector 62 is connected to the rod connector 61 by bolts and threadedly connected to the locking nut 4. The guide rod 63 is located in the center of the locking nut connector 62 and threadedly connected to it. The rod connector 61 is connected to the fork 3 by welding. The locking nut connector 62 is used to achieve a threaded connection with the locking nut 4. Since the locking nut connector 62 is connected to the rod connector 61 by bolts, the locking nut connector 62 is a replaceable part. That is, if the part of its threaded connection with the locking nut 4 is damaged, it can be replaced in time, unlike when the threaded structure is directly set on the fork 3, which requires replacing the fork 3. This reduces costs. The guide rod 63 is used to ensure the accuracy of the threaded connection between the locking nut 4 and the locking nut connector 62, thereby improving installation efficiency.

[0026] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes in form and detail are possible within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A fork assembly for a lifting hopper mixer, comprising a connecting shaft (1) connected to a tilting drive mechanism, a connecting steel (2) connected to the connecting shaft (1), two forks (3) connected to the connecting steel (2) and symmetrically distributed at both ends, and a locking nut (4) installed on the end of the fork (3) away from the connecting steel (2), characterized in that: Both ends of the connecting steel (2) are provided with fork rod connectors (5). The fork rod connectors (5) are connected to the fork rod (3) after it passes through the connecting steel (2). After the connection, the fork rod (3) can be partially covered. At the same time, after the fork rod (3) is connected to the hopper, the clamping force of the locking nut (4) on the fork rod (3) can be detected. A locking nut connector (6) is provided at the end of the fork rod (3) away from the connecting steel (2). The locking nut connector (6) is used to be threaded to the locking nut (4). After the connection, it can form a non-displacement constraint on the hopper to keep the hopper in contact with the fork rod connector (5).

2. The fork assembly of the lifting hopper mixer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fork connector (5) includes a fork connector (51) and a pressure part (52). The fork connector (51) is connected to the connecting steel (2) and has an insertion space for the fork (3) to be inserted into. The feedback part of the pressure part (52) is connected to the connecting steel (2), and the trigger part moves on the fork (3) so that when the hopper is installed on the fork (3), the pressure sensing of the trigger part is achieved by operating the locking nut (4) to push the trigger part to move.

3. The fork assembly of the lifting hopper mixer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fork connecting part (51) includes a plug (511), a round nut (512), and two side blocks (513). The two side blocks (513) are fixed inside the connecting steel (2) and form a gap for the fork (3) to pass through. The connecting steel (2) has a through hole (21) at a position matching the gap, through which the fork (3) passes. The through hole (21) located on the lower end face of the connecting steel (2) is threaded to the fork (3). The round nut (512) is also threaded to the part of the fork (3) that passes through the through hole (21) on the lower end face. The plug (511) is inserted into the fork (3) to achieve an interference fit, and a back cover (7) is bolted to hide the round nut (512).

4. The fork assembly of the lifting hopper mixer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pressure unit (52) includes a pressure module (521) and a pressure plate (522). The pressure module (521) is fixed to the upper end face of the connecting steel (2) by bolts. The pressure plate (522) is fitted on the fork (3) and is movable. One end of the pressure plate extends toward the pressure module (521) and is provided with a push rod (5221) that abuts against the trigger switch of the pressure module (521). The trigger part of the pressure module (521) is provided with a pressed block (5211) that can extend into the pressure plate (522).

5. The fork assembly of the lifting hopper mixer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fork (3) is also fitted with a buffer sleeve (8) that is glued to the pressure plate (522) and deformable under pressure.

6. The fork assembly of the lifting hopper mixer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fork (3) is also fitted with a reinforcing sleeve (9) fixed to the upper end face of the connecting steel (2), and the reinforcing sleeve (9) is provided with a front cover (10) to hide the pressure module (521).

7. The fork assembly of the lifting hopper mixer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking nut connector (6) includes a rod connector (61), a locking nut connector (62), and a guide rod (63). The rod connector (61) is fixed to the end of the fork (3) away from the connecting steel (2). The locking nut connector (62) is connected to the rod connector (61) by bolts and is threaded to the locking nut (4). The guide rod (63) is located in the center of the locking nut connector (62) and is threaded to it.

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