A caster locking fixture

Abstract

This utility model discloses a caster locking fixture, relating to the field of tooling equipment technology. It includes a base plate, a support plate, a positioning pin, and a universal wheel limiting plate. The support plate is connected to the base plate, the positioning pin is connected to the base plate, and the universal wheel limiting plate is connected to the base plate. The top of the support plate and the universal wheel limiting plate are provided with grooves for limiting the position. Reinforcing ribs connect the support plate and the base plate, and there are multiple reinforcing ribs, each located on both sides of the support plate. The technical problem this utility model aims to solve is to provide a caster locking fixture to address the issue that, during the installation of casters on existing AGV robots, hexagonal flange nuts are prone to slippage and incomplete locking due to the high tightening torque.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of tooling equipment technology, specifically to a caster locking tool. Background Technology

[0002] During the assembly of AGV robots, it is necessary to install and secure their floating wheels, drive wheels, and casters. Hexagonal flange nuts are typically used to connect the casters to the AGV robot body. However, because the hexagonal flange nuts require a large tightening torque for the casters, slippage can easily occur during manual clamping, resulting in loose nuts. This not only affects the installation quality of the AGV robot casters but may also lead to caster loosening during subsequent use, affecting the normal operation of the AGV robot. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a caster locking fixture to solve the problem that when installing casters of existing AGV robots, the hexagonal flange nuts are prone to slippage and loose locking due to the large locking torque.

[0004] To solve the above problems, the technical solution provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0005] A caster locking fixture includes a base plate, a support plate, a positioning pin, and a caster wheel limiting plate. The support plate is connected to the base plate, the positioning pin is connected to the base plate, and the caster wheel limiting plate is connected to the base plate. The top of the support plate and the caster wheel limiting plate are provided with grooves for limiting the position. Reinforcing ribs are connected between the support plate and the base plate. There are multiple reinforcing ribs, and the reinforcing ribs are respectively arranged on both sides of the support plate.

[0006] The base plate serves as the foundation platform for the entire tooling, integrating and supporting all other components. The main function of the support plate is to support and constrain the AGV casters' wheels or frames, preventing them from moving or rotating when force is applied to the nuts. The locating pins precisely position the AGV robot chassis or related components, ensuring that the caster mounting holes align with the threaded holes on the chassis. The swivel wheel limit plate limits and secures the swivel wheels from their sides or bottom, given their unique structure. The reinforcing ribs increase the structural strength and rigidity of the connection between the support plate and the base plate, preventing deformation or damage under high locking torque.

[0007] Alternatively, the shape of the groove may be adapted to the shape of the wheel frame or wheel body.

[0008] Its function is to make the groove match the outer contour of the wheel frame or wheel body better, thereby increasing the contact area.

[0009] Optionally, the number of support plates is three, and all three support plates are connected to the base plate by welding.

[0010] The purpose of having three support plates is to provide independent, dedicated support points for different types of casters (such as two drive wheels and one floating wheel) or multiple installation positions. The "welded" connection method ensures a permanent, robust, and integrated connection between the support plates and the base plate.

[0011] Optionally, the number of positioning pins is four, and all four positioning pins are connected to the base plate.

[0012] The function of setting four positioning pins is to utilize the over-positioning principle of "N+2" (exceeding the minimum limit of 2) to achieve more accurate and stable positioning and clamping of the AGV chassis.

[0013] Alternatively, the locating pin can be connected to the base plate by bolts.

[0014] The position of the locating pin can be adjusted or replaced.

[0015] Optionally, the connection between the caster wheel limiting plate and the base plate is welding.

[0016] Ensure that the limiting plate and the base plate form a high-strength, high-rigidity permanent connection.

[0017] Optionally, the caster wheel limiting plate is plate-shaped and extends along the length of the base plate.

[0018] The function of the "plate-like" structure is to provide sufficient strength to withstand loads. The function of "extending along the length of the base plate" is to increase its contact length with the casters, providing a longer restraining area.

[0019] Alternatively, the base plate is rectangular, and the support plates are spaced apart along the width of the base plate.

[0020] The function of the "rectangular" base plate is to provide a regular and stable foundation plane, which facilitates manufacturing and positioning on the production line. The function of "support plates spaced apart along the width of the base plate" is to rationally arrange the support points to accommodate common installation positions of the AGV chassis casters.

[0021] Optionally, the support plate is arranged perpendicular to the base plate.

[0022] This allows the support plate to withstand vertical pressure and torsional loads from the casters in the most direct way.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by this utility model has the following advantages:

[0024] The technical solution provided by this utility model uses a base plate as a basic support, and together with support plates, positioning pins, and universal wheel limiting plates, it forms a complete tooling structure with a simple overall structure. Among them, three support plates are welded to the base plate and reinforced with ribs to improve the support strength. Four positioning pins are connected to the base plate by bolts to realize the positioning of the tooling and the caster parts to be installed. The universal wheel limiting plate is welded to the base plate to limit the caster. Ultimately, it can meet the nut tightening requirements of the floating wheels, drive wheels, and universal wheels of AGV robots, and solve the problems of easy slippage and loose locking during existing manual installation. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 An assembly drawing of a caster locking fixture provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a caster locking fixture proposed in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0027] 1. Floating wheel; 2. Drive wheel; 3. Caster wheel; 4. Tooling body; 41. Base plate; 42. Support plate; 43. Positioning pin; 44. Caster wheel limit plate; 45. Groove. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To further understand the content of this utility model, a detailed description of this utility model will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] Combined with appendix Figure 1-2 A caster locking fixture includes a base plate 41, a support plate 42, a positioning pin 43, and a caster wheel limiting plate 44. The support plate 42 is connected to the base plate 41, the positioning pin 43 is connected to the base plate 41, and the caster wheel limiting plate 44 is connected to the base plate 41. Both the support plate 42 and the caster wheel limiting plate 44 have grooves 45 on their tops for limiting the position. Multiple reinforcing ribs connect the support plate 42 and the base plate 41, and are located on both sides of the support plate 42. Its operating principle is based on mechanical positioning and constraint. The AGV chassis is accurately positioned on the base plate 41 using the positioning pin 43. Then, the casters to be installed (floating wheels 1, drive wheels 2, or caster wheels 3) are placed in the corresponding grooves 45 of the support plate 42 or the caster wheel limiting plate 44. These grooves 45 and the limiting plates wrap around and lock the casters from multiple directions, completely fixing them in space, preventing rotation or displacement. At this point, the operator can apply full torque to tighten the hexagonal flange nut. The caster itself cannot rotate, and the reaction force is borne by the entire sturdy fixture, thus avoiding the problem of "clamping slippage" and ensuring that the nut is reliably tightened to the specified torque.

[0031] The shape of the groove 45 is adapted to the shape of the wheel frame or wheel body. By using a contoured groove 45 that adapts to the shape of the wheel frame or wheel body, the caster can be wrapped around from more angles and over a larger area. This surface contact or line contact constraint method provides a more stable and reliable limiting effect compared to simple V-grooves or flat supports, effectively dispersing the concentrated stress generated during locking, preventing the caster from undergoing minor displacement or deformation within the groove 45, and further ensuring the stability of the locking process.

[0032] There are three support plates 42, all of which are connected to the base plate 41 by welding. These three independent and firmly welded support plates 42 form multiple stable support units. Each unit can be specially designed with its groove 45 shape to match specific casters, achieving specialized positioning. The welding method ensures that there is no gap between the support plates 42 and the base plate 41, allowing the force and reaction force generated when tightening the nut to be directly and without loss transmitted to the base plate 41 and the entire tooling, guaranteeing the overall rigidity and stability of the tooling.

[0033] There are four locating pins 43, all of which are connected to the base plate 41. The four locating pins 43 can be distributed near the four corners of the AGV chassis locating holes. When the chassis is lowered, the four pins simultaneously insert into their corresponding locating holes. This eliminates the chassis's degrees of freedom of movement and rotation in the plane (X and Y directions), ensuring that the chassis's position relative to the tooling is unique and precisely fixed. This guarantees that every threaded hole on the chassis can be precisely aligned with the mounting holes on the casters.

[0034] The positioning pin 43 is connected to the base plate 41 by bolts. This bolt connection allows the positioning pin 43 to be fixed at different positions on the base plate 41, or different AGV chassis models can be adapted by replacing the pins with different specifications. This provides the tooling with versatility and flexibility. When a product model needs to be changed, simply loosen the bolts and adjust or replace the pins, without needing to manufacture entirely new tooling, reducing costs and improving efficiency.

[0035] The caster wheel limiting plate 44 is connected to the base plate 41 by welding. This welding connection makes the caster wheel limiting plate 44 a robust extension of the base plate 41. When tightening the nut of the caster wheel 3, this limiting plate needs to withstand significant lateral forces or bending moments. Welding ensures effective force transmission, prevents loosening or deformation of the connection due to stress, and ensures reliable and effective limiting of the caster wheel 3 at all times.

[0036] The caster wheel limiting plate 44 is plate-shaped and extends along the length of the base plate 41. The plate-shaped structure provides good bending and torsional resistance. Extending it along the length of the base plate 41 allows it to limit a long caster wheel 3 assembly or simultaneously provide lateral support for multiple side-by-side casters 3. This design improves the utilization rate of the tooling and the stability of the limiting mechanism.

[0037] The base plate 41 is rectangular, and the support plates 42 are spaced apart along the width of the base plate 41. A rectangle is a simple and robust structural shape. The spaced arrangement of the support plates 42 along the width typically corresponds to the common layout of installing drive wheels 2 on both sides of the AGV chassis and floating wheels 1 in the middle. This layout makes the tooling structure compact, the force evenly distributed, and matches the actual structure of the product.

[0038] The support plate 42 is positioned perpendicular to the base plate 41. The vertically positioned support plate 42 forms a 90-degree angle between its bearing surface and the supporting surface of the base plate 41. When the casters are inserted into the groove 45 and a locking force is applied, the direction of the force is perpendicular to the panel of the support plate 42. This arrangement allows the support plate 42 to primarily bear pressure and planar shear force, which is the most effective form of stress that the plate material can resist. It avoids complex bending moments caused by inclined placement, thereby maximizing its support efficiency and structural strength.

[0039] Combined with appendix Figure 1 In this embodiment, when using the caster locking fixture, the fixture is first positioned and fixed to the caster mounting base of the AGV robot by the positioning pin 43. Then, the caster to be installed (floating wheel 1, drive wheel 2 or swivel wheel 3) is placed in the designated position of the fixture, so that one side of the caster abuts against the swivel wheel limiting plate 44. Then, the operator can use tools to tighten the hexagonal flange nut of the caster. Since the fixture is positioned by the positioning pin 43 and the swivel wheel limiting plate 44 restricts the rotation of the caster, it can effectively avoid slippage when manually clamping, and ensure that the hexagonal flange nut is locked tightly.

[0040] The present invention and its embodiments have been described above illustratively. This description is not restrictive, and the figures shown are only one embodiment of the present invention; the actual structure is not limited thereto. Therefore, if those skilled in the art are inspired by this description and design similar structures and embodiments without departing from the inventive spirit of the present invention, such designs should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A caster locking tool, characterized by, It includes a base plate, a support plate, a positioning pin, and a caster wheel limiting plate; the support plate is connected to the base plate, the positioning pin is connected to the base plate, and the caster wheel limiting plate is connected to the base plate. The top of both the support plate and the caster wheel limiting plate is provided with a groove for limiting the position. A reinforcing rib is connected between the support plate and the base plate. There are multiple reinforcing ribs, and the reinforcing ribs are respectively arranged on both sides of the support plate.

2. The caster locking tool of claim 1, wherein The shape of the groove is adapted to the shape of the wheel frame or wheel body.

3. The caster locking tool of claim 1, wherein, The number of support plates is three, and all three support plates are connected to the base plate. The connection between the support plates and the base plate is welding.

4. The caster locking tool of claim 1, wherein, The number of positioning pins is four, and all four positioning pins are connected to the base plate.

5. A caster locking tool according to claim 1 or 4, wherein The locating pin is connected to the base plate by bolts.

6. The caster locking tool of claim 1, wherein, The universal wheel limiting plate is connected to the base plate by welding.

7. A caster locking tool according to claim 1 or 6, wherein The universal wheel limiting plate is plate-shaped and extends along the length of the base plate.

8. The caster locking tool of claim 1, wherein, The base plate is rectangular, and the support plates are spaced apart along the width of the base plate.

9. A caster locking tool according to claim 1 or 8, wherein The support plate is arranged perpendicular to the base plate.

Images