Fork anti-collision triggering mechanism

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of fork anti-collision trigger mechanism, it is related to logistics equipment technical field, and its technical solution main point is: including mechanical trigger component, wireless signal transmitter and wireless signal receiver, mechanical trigger component includes two connecting pieces slidingly connected in the upper fork body both sides of fork, detachably connected in the pressure contact piece between two connecting pieces and is set on the trigger lever of any connecting piece, wireless signal transmitter is set on upper fork body, and built-in power supply battery, switch component is connected on wireless signal transmitter, under the action of pressure contact force, mechanical trigger component can make that trigger lever triggers switch component, wireless signal transmitter sends control signal after switch component triggers, receiver receives the control signal sent by transmitter and sends stop signal to the controller of fork.The utility model can carry out efficient and accurate active shutdown protection when fork hits pallet, and has the advantages of compact structure, small space occupancy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of logistics equipment technology, and more specifically, it relates to a fork anti-collision triggering mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] In modern automated warehousing and logistics systems, the forks of intelligent equipment such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), stacker cranes, and shuttles are the core actuators for achieving precise storage and retrieval of goods. When the forks extend to pick up and place pallets (or bins), their positioning accuracy and operational reliability directly affect the overall system's efficiency and safety. However, in actual operating environments, fork extension operations often pose a risk of pallet collisions due to pallet position deviations, visual recognition errors, or inaccurate path planning. Such collisions can not only damage goods and pallets but also easily cause overload damage to the fork drive mechanism. Existing technologies, which merely install mechanical buffer anti-collision devices on the upper fork body, only achieve simple physical cushioning and cannot trigger active shutdown protection mechanisms, making it difficult to fundamentally prevent damage to equipment and goods.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, some existing technologies involve sliding a trigger component at the front end of the upper fork body, with a sensing element on the trigger component. A photoelectric sensor is positioned on the upper fork body near the sensing element. The photoelectric sensor is electrically connected to the fork control module via a cable. When the photoelectric sensor is triggered, it sends a stop signal to the control module, which then controls the fork drive mechanism to stop extending and retracting the fork.

[0004] While the above method achieves active fork stop protection, it still has the following drawbacks: 1. The cable connection makes the structure less compact, and the cable can easily interfere with the pallet during operation, and the installation is complex; 2. For dark-colored pallets or hollow pallets with low reflectivity, the photoelectric sensor is prone to failure, resulting in a high false alarm rate; 3. When it is necessary to adapt to upper fork bodies with different cross-sectional widths, the entire triggering component must be replaced, and flexible adjustment cannot be achieved by replacing individual parts, which increases the cost of equipment maintenance and upgrades.

[0005] Therefore, a new solution is needed to address the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a fork anti-collision triggering mechanism that can provide efficient and accurate active stop protection when the forks collide with the pallet, and has a compact structure.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: a fork anti-collision triggering mechanism, comprising a mechanical triggering component, a wireless signal transmitter, and a wireless signal receiver. The mechanical triggering component includes two connectors slidably connected to both sides of the upper fork body, a pressure contact component detachably connected between the two connectors and located at the front end of the upper fork body, and a trigger rod disposed on any of the connectors. The wireless signal transmitter is disposed on the upper fork body near the trigger rod and has a built-in power supply battery. A switch component is connected to the wireless signal transmitter. Under the action of the pressure contact force, the mechanical triggering component can slide towards the wireless signal transmitter, causing the trigger rod to trigger the switch component. After the switch component is triggered, the wireless signal transmitter sends a control signal. The wireless signal receiver receives the control signal sent by the wireless signal transmitter and sends a stop signal to the fork controller.

[0008] Preferably, each of the connecting members is slidably connected to the upper fork body via a sliding assembly. The sliding assembly includes a slide rail fixed to the upper fork body by a first bolt and a slider that is slidably adapted to the slide rail. The connecting member is fixedly connected to the slider by a second bolt.

[0009] Preferably, the trigger rod is fixedly connected to the connector by a third bolt.

[0010] Preferably, an elastic element is provided between the upper fork body and the connecting member to apply a force opposite to the pressing force to the pressing member.

[0011] Preferably, the elastic element is a tension spring, a first connecting post is fixed on the side of the upper fork body near the pressure contact member, a second connecting post is fixed on the side of the connecting member near the wireless signal transmitter, and the tension spring is connected between the first connecting post and the second connecting post.

[0012] Preferably, the connector is an integrally formed structure, including a connecting part and an arc-shaped part, wherein the arc-shaped part bends and extends from one side of the upper fork body to its top.

[0013] Preferably, the connecting portion and the arcuate portion together define a space for covering the sliding component.

[0014] Preferably, the wireless signal transmitter includes a transmitter housing, a ZigBee signal transmitting module disposed within the transmitter housing, a first control module, and a power module. The switching component is a micro switch fixed on the transmitter housing. The power supply battery is electrically connected to the input terminal of the power module. The output terminal of the power module is electrically connected to both the first control module and the ZigBee signal transmitting module. The micro switch is electrically connected to the signal input terminal of the first control module. The signal output terminal of the first control module is electrically connected to the signal input terminal of the ZigBee signal transmitting module.

[0015] The wireless signal receiver includes a receiver housing, a second control module disposed within the receiver housing, and a ZigBee signal receiving module. The signal output terminal of the ZigBee signal receiving module is electrically connected to the signal input terminal of the second control module.

[0016] Preferably, the transmitter housing is fixedly connected to the upper fork body by a fourth bolt.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of the fork anti-collision triggering mechanism disclosed in this utility model are: 1. By setting a wireless signal transmitter on the upper fork body and independently setting a power supply battery inside the wireless signal transmitter, and equipping it with a corresponding wireless signal receiver, compared with the wired connection of traditional photoelectric sensors, the problem of cables easily getting tangled with pallets and interfering with operation during the extension and retraction of the forks is solved. The structure is simpler and more compact, with a smaller space occupation rate, reducing installation complexity, and avoiding the risk of failure caused by cable wear; 2. The mechanical triggering component adopts two connecting parts that are slidably connected to the upper fork body, and a pressure contact is set between the two connecting parts. When the pressure contact collides with the pallet, it can drive the two connecting parts to slide smoothly, so that the trigger rod triggers the switch component in a purely mechanical way, which has high structural stability and high sensitivity during the triggering process, effectively improving the adaptability to various pallets and the accuracy of anti-collision detection; 3. When it is necessary to adapt to upper fork bodies with different cross-sectional widths, only the pressure contact needs to be replaced, without replacing the entire mechanical triggering component, realizing flexible replacement of the triggering component and effectively reducing the cost of equipment modification, maintenance and upgrade. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the fork anti-collision triggering mechanism according to an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the mechanical triggering component in the fork anti-collision triggering mechanism of this application embodiment;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the wireless signal transmitter in the fork anti-collision triggering mechanism of this application embodiment.

[0022] The numbers or letters in the attached diagram represent the names of the corresponding components:

[0023] 1. Wireless signal receiver; 2. Mechanical trigger assembly; 21. Connector; 211. Connecting part; 212. Arc-shaped part; 22. Pressing contact; 23. Trigger rod; 24. Slide rail; 25. Slider; 26. First bolt; 27. Second bolt; 28. Tension spring; 2a. First connecting post; 2b. Second connecting post; 2c. Third bolt; 2d. Fourth bolt; 3. Wireless signal transmitter; 31. Transmitter housing; 32. Power supply battery; 4. Switch assembly; 5. Upper fork body. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solution of this utility model will now be clearly and completely described through specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0025] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, an embodiment of this application provides a fork anti-collision triggering mechanism, including a mechanical triggering assembly 2, a wireless signal transmitter 3, and a wireless signal receiver 1. The mechanical triggering assembly 2 includes two connectors 21 slidably connected to both sides of the upper fork body 5, a pressure contact 22 detachably connected between the two connectors 21 and located at the front end of the upper fork body 5, and a trigger rod 23 disposed on either connector 21. The wireless signal transmitter 3 is disposed on the upper fork body 5 near the trigger rod 23, and a power supply battery 32 is disposed within the wireless signal transmitter 3. A switch component 4 is connected to the wireless signal transmitter 3. Under the action of the pressure contact force, the mechanical triggering assembly 2 can slide towards the wireless signal transmitter 3, causing the trigger rod 23 to trigger the switch component 4. After the switch component 4 is triggered, the wireless signal transmitter 3 sends a control signal. The wireless signal receiver 1 receives the control signal sent by the wireless signal transmitter 3 and sends a stop signal to the fork controller, specifically a PLC controller. In use, the wireless signal receiver 1 in this embodiment is placed at a fixed position on the fork, and the output terminal of the wireless signal receiver 1 is connected to the PLC controller of the fork through a cable, and the wireless signal receiver 1 is powered by the power supply of the fork.

[0026] When the above-mentioned fork anti-collision trigger mechanism is working, when the front end of the upper fork body 5 of the fork accidentally collides with the pallet and generates a pressing force, the pressing force causes the mechanical trigger component 2 to slide towards the wireless signal transmitter 3. The trigger rod 23 presses the switch component 4 on the wireless signal transmitter 3. After the switch component 4 is triggered, the wireless signal transmitter 3 powered by the power supply battery 32 sends a control signal. The wireless signal receiver 1 powered by the fork receives the control signal and sends a stop signal to the PLC controller through the cable. The PLC controller controls the drive mechanism of the fork, so that the fork stops, thereby realizing active stopping and avoiding damage to the fork or pallet due to overload.

[0027] In the above configuration, by setting a wireless signal transmitter 3 on the upper fork body 5 and independently setting a power supply battery 32 inside the wireless signal transmitter 3, and equipping it with a corresponding wireless signal receiver 1, compared with the wired connection of traditional photoelectric sensors, the problem of cables easily getting tangled with pallets and interfering with operation during the extension and retraction of the forks is solved. The structure is simpler and more compact, with a smaller space occupation, reducing installation complexity, and avoiding the risk of failure caused by cable wear. The mechanical trigger component 2 uses two connectors 21 to slide with the upper fork body 5, and a pressure contact 22 is set between the two connectors 21. When the pressure contact 22 collides with the pallet, it can drive the two connectors 21 to slide smoothly, so that the trigger rod 23 triggers the switch component 4 in a purely mechanical way. It has high structural stability and high sensitivity during the triggering process, effectively improving the adaptability to various pallets and the accuracy of anti-collision detection. When it is necessary to adapt to upper fork bodies 5 with different cross-sectional widths, only the pressure contact 22 needs to be replaced, without replacing the entire mechanical trigger component 2, realizing flexible replacement of the trigger component and effectively reducing the cost of equipment modification, maintenance and upgrade.

[0028] Each connector 21 is slidably connected to the upper fork body 5 via a sliding assembly. The sliding assembly includes a slide rail 24 fixed to the upper fork body 5 by a first bolt 26 and a slider 25 that is slidably adapted to the slide rail 24. The connector 21 is fixedly connected to the slider 25 by a second bolt 27. The trigger rod 23 is fixedly connected to the connector 21 by a third bolt 2c. The cooperation between the slide rail 24 and the slider 25 provides linear guidance for the connector 21, ensuring that the mechanical trigger assembly 2 slides smoothly along a predetermined path under the action of pressure, avoiding skew and jamming, and improving the reliability of the triggering action. The setting of the first bolt 26, the second bolt 27 and the third bolt 2c makes it possible to disassemble the slide rail 24 from the upper fork body 5, the connector 21 from the slider 25, and the trigger rod 23 from the connector 21, facilitating the disassembly or adjustment of each component later.

[0029] An elastic element is provided between the upper fork body 5 and the connecting member 21. The elastic element applies a force opposite to the pressure contact 22. Specifically, the elastic element is a tension spring 28. A first connecting post 2a is fixed on the side of the upper fork body 5 near the pressure contact 22, and a second connecting post 2b is fixed on the side of the connecting member 21 near the wireless signal transmitter 3. The tension spring 28 connects between the first connecting post 2a and the second connecting post 2b. With this setting, when the pressure contact force of the collision disappears, the contraction force of the tension spring 28 drives the mechanical trigger component 2 to automatically reset, so that the pressure contact 22 returns to its initial position without manual intervention, ensuring continuous operation efficiency. At the same time, the preload of the tension spring 28 applies a continuous forward tension to the connecting member 21, offsetting vibration or slight collision interference during fork operation and avoiding false triggering under non-collision conditions. It should be noted that the elastic coefficient of the tension spring 28 is selected within a reasonable range to ensure that the switch component 4 can be triggered under a certain pressure contact force.

[0030] The connector 21 is a one-piece molded structure, including a connecting portion 211 and an arc-shaped portion 212. The arc-shaped portion 212 bends and extends from one side of the upper fork body 5 to its top. The side of the pressure contact member 22 near the connector 21 also has a certain curvature. The arc-shaped portion 212 reduces wear between it and the pallet. The connecting portion 211 and the arc-shaped portion 212 together define a space for covering the sliding components, enclosing the slide rail 24 and the slider 25, and preventing dust, oil, and splashing debris from the external environment from entering the gap of the sliding pair, thereby avoiding jamming and wear.

[0031] The wireless signal transmitter 3 includes a transmitter housing 31 fixedly connected to the upper fork body 5 by a fourth bolt 2d, a ZigBee signal transmitting module, a first control module, and a power module disposed within the transmitter housing 31. The switch component 4 is a micro switch fixed to the transmitter housing 31. The power supply battery 32 consists of multiple 14250 type high-capacity batteries 32, which have the advantages of small size and long life, can be easily installed inside the transmitter housing 31, and can meet the power needs of the wireless signal transmitter 3 for one year. The power supply battery 32 is electrically connected to the input terminal of the power module, and the output terminal of the power module is electrically connected to both the first control module and the ZigBee signal transmitting module. The micro switch is electrically connected to the signal input terminal of the first control module, and the signal output terminal of the first control module is electrically connected to the signal input terminal of the ZigBee signal transmitting module. This wireless signal transmitter 3 has an independent communication address, and can quickly identify its specific location after a collision occurs. The ZigBee signal transmitting module includes an omnidirectional soft antenna, which is disposed outside the transmitter housing 31. The wireless signal receiver 1 includes a receiver housing, a second control module disposed within the receiver housing, and a ZigBee signal receiving module. The signal output terminal of the ZigBee signal receiving module is electrically connected to the signal input terminal of the second control module. The signal output terminal of the second control module is electrically connected to the PLC controller of the forklift via the aforementioned cable. Each ZigBee signal receiving module includes an omnidirectional soft antenna, which is disposed outside the receiver housing. Both the first and second controller modules are microcontrollers; specifically, they can use STM32 chips or other custom-designed chips as required, without specific limitations.

[0032] In the above method, by adopting the ZigBee communication protocol, self-organizing network and frequency hopping communication are supported in the 2.4GHz band. It has the advantages of fast response speed, low power consumption, and short latency. The time from the triggering of the switch component 4 to the wireless signal receiver 1 receiving and sending a stop signal to the PLC controller is: an average time of 20.3ms, and a maximum time of about 33ms. The omnidirectional soft antenna effectively avoids electromagnetic interference and metal barriers, ensuring the stability of signal transmission within a 50m range. The measured signal packet loss rate is <1‰, and the probability of the control signal of the wireless signal receiver 1 being normally output after a collision is >99%.

[0033] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A fork anti-collision triggering mechanism, characterized in that: The device includes a mechanical trigger assembly, a wireless signal transmitter, and a wireless signal receiver. The mechanical trigger assembly includes two connectors slidably connected to both sides of the upper fork body, a pressure contact detachably connected between the two connectors and located at the front end of the upper fork body, and a trigger rod disposed on either connector. The wireless signal transmitter is disposed on the upper fork body near the trigger rod and has a built-in power supply battery. A switch component is connected to the wireless signal transmitter. Under the action of the pressure contact force, the mechanical trigger assembly can slide towards the wireless signal transmitter, causing the trigger rod to trigger the switch component. After the switch component is triggered, the wireless signal transmitter sends a control signal. The wireless signal receiver receives the control signal sent by the wireless signal transmitter and sends a stop signal to the fork controller.

2. The fork anti-collision triggering mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the connecting pieces is slidably connected to the upper fork body via a sliding assembly. The sliding assembly includes a slide rail fixed to the upper fork body by a first bolt and a slider that is slidably adapted to the slide rail. The connecting piece is fixedly connected to the slider by a second bolt.

3. The fork anti-collision triggering mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The trigger rod is fixedly connected to the connector by a third bolt.

4. The fork anti-collision triggering mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: An elastic element is provided between the upper fork body and the connecting member to apply a force opposite to the pressure contact force to the pressure contact member.

5. The fork anti-collision triggering mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The elastic element is a tension spring. A first connecting post is fixed on the side of the upper fork body near the pressure contact member, and a second connecting post is fixed on the side of the connecting member near the wireless signal transmitter. The tension spring is connected between the first connecting post and the second connecting post.

6. The fork anti-collision triggering mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connector is an integrally formed structure, including a connecting part and an arc-shaped part, wherein the arc-shaped part bends and extends from one side of the upper fork body to its top.

7. The fork anti-collision triggering mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The connecting portion and the arc-shaped portion together define a space for covering the sliding component.

8. The fork anti-collision triggering mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wireless signal transmitter includes a transmitter housing, a ZigBee signal transmitting module disposed within the transmitter housing, a first control module, and a power module. The switching component is a micro switch fixed on the transmitter housing. The power supply battery is electrically connected to the input terminal of the power module. The output terminal of the power module is electrically connected to both the first control module and the ZigBee signal transmitting module. The micro switch is electrically connected to the signal input terminal of the first control module. The signal output terminal of the first control module is electrically connected to the signal input terminal of the ZigBee signal transmitting module. The wireless signal receiver includes a receiver housing, a second control module disposed within the receiver housing, and a ZigBee signal receiving module. The signal output terminal of the ZigBee signal receiving module is electrically connected to the signal input terminal of the second control module.

9. The fork anti-collision triggering mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that: The transmitter housing is fixedly connected to the upper fork body by a fourth bolt.

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