A vehicle limiting device and a shuttle system suitable for a shuttle vehicle track

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of logistics equipment hardware design, concretely relates to the safety design in the running process of shuttle vehicle, be applicable to the car limiting device of shuttle vehicle track, contain fixed frame, still contain shelter frame and driving device, the driving device contain the cylinder seat of being connected on fixed frame and the push rod connected with cylinder seat, the shelter frame is configured as, under the drive of push rod, under the switching of blocking state of blocking vehicle and releasing state of releasing vehicle. The utility model aims at providing the car limiting device and shuttle system suitable for shuttle vehicle track, avoid the fall of shuttle vehicle, protect the safety of shuttle vehicle, goods, ground facility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hardware design for logistics equipment, specifically to the safety design of shuttle vehicles during operation. Background Technology

[0002] A shuttle is an intelligent, automated warehousing device. It typically moves flexibly in a two-dimensional plane via multiple wheel sets on its underside, running on a horizontal grid network of precision aluminum alloy tracks, allowing it to reach any storage location within the warehouse grid. A shuttle warehouse, with the shuttle as its core execution unit, integrates racking systems, elevator systems, and other components to form a high-density automated storage and retrieval system. In this system, the shuttle is responsible for storing, retrieving, and transporting goods on the track plane at a specific floor height, while the elevators vertically transfer shuttles or goods between different floors. This architecture significantly improves space utilization and the flexibility of warehousing operations.

[0003] This system involves the coordination of a track and fire doors. Specifically, the track includes a tilting track, typically located directly beneath the fire door. Its length matches the width of the fire door, ensuring that when the fire door closes, the tilting track flips up, preventing collision or interference with the fire door during operation. In this situation, the control system will stop the shuttle to prevent it from derailing.

[0004] However, in some cases, the shuttle fails to stop in time. This could be due to excessive speed or inertia; interference with control signal transmission; or a malfunction in the vehicle's positioning system. In such situations, the shuttle itself will fall from a height, causing structural damage. The goods it carries will also fall, resulting in product breakage and destruction, leading to direct economic losses. Furthermore, the falling shuttle and goods may damage lower shelves, tracks, other equipment, or even ground facilities, causing secondary damage. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vehicle limiting device and shuttle system suitable for shuttle car tracks to prevent shuttle cars from falling and to protect the safety of shuttle cars, goods, and ground facilities.

[0006] A vehicle limiting device for shuttle tracks includes a fixed frame, a shielding frame, and a drive unit, the drive unit including a cylinder seat connected to the fixed frame and a push rod connected to the cylinder seat; The barrier is configured to switch between a blocking state that blocks vehicles and a releasing state that allows vehicles to pass, driven by the push rod.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of this invention, the shield is configured such that its middle position is rotatably connected to the fixed frame, its lower position is connected to the push rod, and its upper position is flipped in the vertical direction to block vehicles.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the shielding frame includes a first baffle and a second baffle, which are connected by a linkage piece.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of this invention, the fixing frame is equipped with a sensor, which is configured to stop the movement of the push rod when it senses that the blocking frame has moved to a preset position.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor comprises sensor one and sensor two, which are respectively arranged on both sides of the baffle one or the baffle two.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a connecting shaft is connected to the fixing frame, and a deep groove ball bearing is provided at the middle position of the shielding frame, the deep groove ball bearing being connected to the connecting shaft.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of this invention, the connecting shaft is provided with a spacer.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the linkage plate is provided with a bottom shaft, and a joint bearing is provided at the lower part of the shielding frame, the joint bearing being connected to the bottom shaft.

[0014] A shuttle system includes a shuttle track and a shuttle, on which the aforementioned vehicle limiting device suitable for the shuttle track is installed.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shuttle track includes at least two main tracks and a crossbeam connecting the two main tracks, and the fixing frame is connected to the crossbeam.

[0016] In summary, this utility model has the following beneficial effects: 1. When the fire door is raised or lowered, before the tilting track tilts, the vehicle restriction device operates, switching from the release state to the blocking state, physically blocking the shuttle car, preventing the shuttle car from moving, and improving the safety of vehicles, goods, and equipment below.

[0017] 2. The barrier moves by rotation, not linear displacement. It has excellent mechanical properties and strong impact resistance.

[0018] 3. The flipping structure of the baffle is simple and less sensitive to dust and small debris. Even if there are foreign objects, it is difficult to completely jam the flipping action, resulting in smoother operation.

[0019] 4. The push rod only needs to provide torque to overcome the gravitational torque and friction of the baffle to achieve the flipping, and the required thrust is small.

[0020] 5. The system employs a combination of a deep groove ball bearing in the middle and a spherical plain bearing at the bottom. Deep groove ball bearings not only provide stable rotation but also better radial load bearing capacity, while remaining cost-effective. Spherical plain bearings can accommodate impacts from more directions, thereby improving the stability and service life of the entire vehicle limiting device. Attached image description: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Example 1; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the vehicle restriction device in the middle; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Side sectional view.

[0021] In the diagram: 91. Shuttle car; 92. Main track; 93. Crossbeam; 1. Baffle frame; 11. Baffle plate one; 12. Baffle plate two; 2. Fixing frame; 31. Sensor one; 32. Sensor two; 4. Drive unit; 41. Cylinder seat; 42. Push rod; 5. Linkage plate; 61. Deep groove ball bearing; 62. Connecting shaft; 63. Spacer; 71. Bottom shaft; 72. Spherical bearing. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] This specific embodiment is merely an explanation of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art can make modifications to this embodiment without contributing any inventive step, but as long as they are within the scope of the claims of the present utility model, they are protected by patent law.

[0024] The following description provides examples and does not limit the scope, applicability, or examples set forth in the claims. Changes may be made to the function and arrangement of the described elements without departing from the scope of this specification. Various processes or components may be appropriately omitted, substituted, or added to the examples. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Furthermore, features described with respect to some examples may be combined into other examples.

[0025] Example 1: A shuttle system comprising a track and a shuttle 91. The track comprises two or more main tracks 92 connected to each other by crossbeams 93. The shuttle 91 is equipped with rollers and travels on the main tracks 92.

[0026] Before the fire door rises and falls, and the tilting track (not shown in the diagram) tilts, the vehicle restriction device activates, switching from the release state to the blocking state, physically obstructing the shuttle car 91 and preventing its movement. Specifically, as follows... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the fixed frame 2 is mounted on the crossbeam 93 and can be considered a stationary component. The drive unit 4 includes a cylinder seat 41 and a push rod 42, and is electrically driven. The cylinder seat 41 is mounted on the fixed frame 2, and the push rod 42 extends and retracts. The baffle frame 1 includes a first baffle 11 and a second baffle 12, which are connected by a linkage plate 5. One end of the push rod 42 is connected to the first baffle 11 via a connecting component such as a pin. The first baffle 11 and the second baffle 12 are parallel, and their movement trajectories are synchronized.

[0027] In this case, the movement of the shield 1 is rotational, not linear displacement. Specifically, taking the baffle 11 as an example, its middle part is the connection point with the fixed frame 2, and also the center point of the flipping action. Figure 3 As shown, a connecting shaft 62 is provided on the fixed frame 2, which can extend horizontally, and a deep groove ball bearing 61 is provided in the middle of the baffle 11, which is connected to the connecting shaft 62, so that the middle of the baffle 11 can rotate relative to the fixed frame 2. A spacer 63 is also provided on the connecting shaft 62.

[0028] The lower end of the first baffle 11 is fitted with a spherical bearing 72. A bottom shaft 71 is provided on the linkage plate 5, and the spherical bearing 72 is mounted on the bottom shaft 71. Shaft clips and wire retaining rings are also installed before and after the spherical bearing 72 to further reinforce it. The connection method between the second baffle 12 and the fixing frame 2 and the linkage plate 5 is the same as described above.

[0029] With this connection method, as the push rod 42 moves linearly, the first baffle 11 and the second baffle 12 move synchronously. Furthermore, this movement trajectory is not a straight up-and-down linear movement, but rather a rotation centered on the middle position, i.e., the connecting shaft 62. This design has the following advantages: First, the tilting design offers superior mechanical properties and strong impact resistance. When the shuttle impacts the baffle at a certain speed, the baffle's fulcrum is at the bottom, and the impact force is directly converted into pressure and shear force on the connecting shaft 62 and the deep groove ball bearing 61. This force distribution mode is beneficial to the structural components and results in a more robust performance. With a lifting baffle, this force would act along the vertical direction of the baffle, easily causing damage to the lower end. The tilting structure transfers the main impact load to a simpler mechanical structure, protecting the precision drive unit. However, this also leads to differences in reliability and service life. The tilting structure is simple and less sensitive to dust and small debris. Even with foreign objects, it is difficult to completely jam the tilting action. Lifting designs rely on precision sliding rails or guide sleeves, requiring high flatness and perpendicularity of the linear guide rails, making them prone to jamming and malfunction due to dust accumulation, deformation, or foreign object intrusion.

[0030] Secondly, the requirements and load on the drive mechanism are lower. The flipping action utilizes the lever principle. The push rod 42 only needs to provide the torque to overcome the gravitational torque and friction of the baffle to achieve the flipping, requiring less thrust. The lifting scheme requires the drive unit 4 to directly lift the weight of the entire baffle, which usually requires more thrust and power. When a fast response is needed, the power requirement for the drive is even higher.

[0031] Third, the flip-type design is compact and requires little installation space. When retracted, the two flaps of the flip-type design lie flat against the side of the crossbeam 93, without occupying additional height space. In contrast, the lifting design requires sufficient vertical travel space to accommodate the flaps during the lifting process, which places higher demands on the structural design of the track foundation.

[0032] In this case, the design is not limited to a flip-type mechanism, but further optimizations have been made to the stress distribution within the flip-type system. Specifically, a deep groove ball bearing 61 is used in the middle section, and a spherical plain bearing 72 is used at the bottom. This is because the flip-type mechanism in the middle requires more central stability and less range of motion. The deep groove ball bearing provides stable rotation, better radial stress resistance, and is cost-effective. The spherical plain bearing 72, located at the bottom and at the end of the baffle, allows for greater movement and more varied directions during impacts from the trolley. It can accommodate more impact directions, thus improving the stability and service life of the entire vehicle limiting device.

[0033] On both sides of the baffle, for example, on the left and right sides of baffle 11, there are sensors 31 and 32 respectively. The two sensors can be photoelectric, laser, or microswitches. When the baffle swings to the specified amplitude, the corresponding blocking state and releasing state are in place. The controller receives the signal from the sensor and controls the push rod 42 to stop pushing out or retracting.

Claims

1. A vehicle limiting device suitable for shuttle car tracks, comprising a fixing frame (2), characterized in that: It also includes a shield (1) and a drive device (4), the drive device (4) including a cylinder seat (41) connected to the fixed frame (2) and a push rod (42) connected to the cylinder seat (41). The barrier (1) is configured to switch between a blocking state that blocks vehicles and a releasing state that allows vehicles to pass, driven by the push rod (42).

2. The vehicle limiting device for shuttle tracks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shield (1) is configured such that its middle position is rotatably connected to the fixed frame (2), its lower position is connected to the push rod (42), and its upper position is flipped in the vertical direction to block vehicles.

3. The vehicle limiting device for shuttle tracks according to claim 2, characterized in that: The shielding frame (1) includes a first baffle (11) and a second baffle (12), which are connected by a linkage piece (5).

4. The vehicle limiting device for shuttle tracks according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mounting bracket (2) is equipped with a sensor, which is configured to stop the movement of the push rod (42) when it senses that the shielding bracket (1) has moved to a preset position.

5. The vehicle limiting device for shuttle tracks according to claim 4, characterized in that: The sensor includes sensor one (31) and sensor two (32), which are respectively arranged on both sides of the baffle one (11) or the baffle two (12).

6. The vehicle limiting device for shuttle tracks according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that: The fixing frame (2) is connected to a connecting shaft (62), and a deep groove ball bearing (61) is provided in the middle of the shielding frame (1), and the deep groove ball bearing (61) is connected to the connecting shaft (62).

7. The vehicle limiting device for shuttle tracks according to claim 6, characterized in that: The connecting shaft (62) is provided with a spacer (63).

8. The vehicle limiting device for shuttle tracks according to claim 6, characterized in that: The linkage plate (5) is provided with a bottom shaft (71), and a joint bearing (72) is provided at the lower part of the shielding frame (1). The joint bearing (72) is connected to the bottom shaft (71).

9. A shuttle system, comprising shuttle tracks and shuttles (91), characterized in that, The shuttle track is equipped with a vehicle limiting device as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The shuttle system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The shuttle track includes at least two main tracks (92) and a crossbeam (93) connecting the two main tracks (92), and the fixing frame (2) is connected to the crossbeam (93).

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