A two-way telescopic fork

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of two-way telescopic fork, belong to retractable fork technical field, solve the problem of high precision requirement of prior art manufacturing and installation, cost is also relatively higher. It includes primary fork body, primary fork body slidingly connected with secondary fork body, gear rack is fixedly arranged on secondary fork body, driving mechanism is arranged on primary fork body, secondary fork body slidingly connected with tertiary fork body, two ends of secondary fork body are connected with top piece, each top piece is abutted with flexible pulling member, one end of flexible pulling member is fixedly connected with primary fork body, the other end of flexible pulling member is fixedly connected with tertiary fork body. After driving mechanism moves secondary fork body by gear rack, the top piece of one end of secondary fork body moves forward, forces the end of flexible pulling member to be connected with tertiary fork body to move, to generate traction tension to tertiary fork body, realize the telescopic movement of secondary fork body and tertiary fork body;Use flexible pulling member and top piece, can reduce use cost and manufacturing installation precision.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of telescopic fork technology, specifically a bidirectional telescopic fork. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing number of new energy electric vehicles, the demand for battery swapping stations is growing. Currently, various types of robots have emerged in the market, with the two most mainstream types being wire rope lifting and forklift lifting solutions. Wire rope lifting solutions lack sufficient positioning accuracy, have poor wind resistance, and are prone to wear, requiring frequent maintenance or replacement. Forklift lifting solutions, on the other hand, offer good overall rigidity, accurate positioning, strong wind resistance, and are maintenance-free during the warranty period, thus gaining widespread application.

[0003] Currently, rack and pinion forks are commonly used. For example, patent application CN118289680A discloses a high-precision narrow heavy-duty fork. This heavy-duty fork includes a drive mechanism and at least two sets of bidirectional telescopic fork arms. The drive mechanism drives the fork arms to extend and retract in both directions. All drive mechanisms use gear and rack meshing transmission, resulting in a low overall failure rate, long service life, and high fork extension and positioning accuracy. Furthermore, this fork has narrow fork arms and a compact structure, reducing costs and meeting the requirements of narrow loading spaces. It also uses a stepped extension mechanism with base, middle rail, and top rail components, allowing for minimal bending deformation while carrying heavy loads. However, rack and pinion transmission structures require high manufacturing and installation precision, and are relatively expensive. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a bidirectional telescopic fork. After the drive mechanism drives the secondary fork body to move via a rack and pinion, the top member at one end of the secondary fork body moves forward, forcing the flexible traction member connected to the tertiary fork body to move, thereby generating a traction force on the tertiary fork body and driving it to move, thus realizing the telescopic movement of the secondary and tertiary forks. The use of the flexible traction member and the top member in cooperation for driving can reduce the cost of use and the manufacturing and installation accuracy.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this utility model is as follows: A bidirectional telescopic fork includes a primary fork body, a secondary fork body slidably connected to the primary fork body, a rack fixedly arranged along the length direction on the secondary fork body, a drive mechanism on the primary fork body for cooperating with the rack to drive the secondary fork body to move, a tertiary fork body slidably connected to the secondary fork body, top members connected to both ends of the secondary fork body, each top member abutting against a flexible traction member whose ends are not connected, one end of the flexible traction member being fixedly connected to the primary fork body, and the other end of the flexible traction member being fixedly connected to the tertiary fork body.

[0006] Preferably, the drive mechanism includes a motor drive assembly fixed on the primary fork body, a drive sprocket rotatably mounted on the motor drive assembly, a first driven sprocket and a second driven sprocket rotatably mounted on the primary fork body, and the first driven sprocket and the second driven sprocket are located on the same horizontal plane, and a transmission chain connected end to end is meshed on the drive sprocket, the first driven sprocket and the second driven sprocket.

[0007] Preferably, a tension sprocket is rotatably mounted on the first-stage fork body, located between the second driven sprocket and the driving sprocket and meshing with the outside of the drive chain, and the height of the tension sprocket is higher than the height of the second driven sprocket.

[0008] Preferably, both the secondary and tertiary forks are U-shaped frames, with the primary fork located inside the secondary fork and the secondary fork located inside the tertiary fork.

[0009] Preferably, the first guide rails are provided on both sides of the first fork along the length direction, and several first rollers that cooperate with the first guide rails are rotatably provided on the inner side of the second fork.

[0010] Preferably, the three-stage fork body has second guide rails on both sides along the length direction, and the outer side of the two-stage fork body has several second rollers that cooperate with the second guide rails.

[0011] Preferably, wear-resistant strips are provided on the upper and lower inner sides of the first and second guide rails, and a gap is left between the upper wear-resistant strip and the first and second rollers.

[0012] Preferably, the flexible tensioning element is a connecting rope or chain.

[0013] Preferably, the flexible tensioning element is a chain.

[0014] Preferably, the top component is a sprocket and the sprocket is rotatably connected to the secondary fork.

[0015] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: After the drive mechanism drives the secondary fork to move via the rack and pinion, the top member at one end of the secondary fork moves forward, forcing the flexible traction member connected to the tertiary fork to move, thereby generating a pulling force on the tertiary fork and driving the tertiary fork to move, realizing the telescopic movement of the secondary and tertiary forks; the use of the flexible traction member and the top member for driving can reduce the cost of use and the manufacturing and installation accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure provided for an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the drive mechanism structure provided in an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the two-stage fork provided in an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure provided for an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the bidirectional telescopic principle provided for an embodiment of this utility model.

[0018] Reference numerals: 1-First-stage fork body; 101-First guide rail; 102-First fixing part; 2-Drive mechanism; 201-Motor drive assembly; 202-Drive sprocket; 203-First driven sprocket; 204-Second driven sprocket; 205-Transmission chain; 206-Tension sprocket; 207-Horizontal drive section; 3-Second-stage fork body; 301-First roller; 302-Second roller; 303-Rack; 304-Top component; 305-Flexible traction component; 4-Third-stage fork body; 401-Second guide rail; 402-Second fixing part; 5-Lifting device; 6-Wear-resistant strip. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0020] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that if terms such as "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer" appear to indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product is in use, they are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0022] The following is combined with Figures 1-5 This utility model will be described in detail.

[0023] Example: A two-way telescopic fork, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes a primary fork 1, a secondary fork 3 slidably connected to the primary fork 1, a rack 303 fixedly mounted on the secondary fork 3 along its length, a drive mechanism 2 on the primary fork 1 for cooperating with the rack 303 to drive the secondary fork 3 to move, and a tertiary fork 4 slidably connected to the secondary fork 3, as shown. Figure 3 As shown, the two ends of the secondary fork 3 are connected to top members 304. Each top member 304 abuts against a flexible pull member 305 that is not connected end to end. One end of the flexible pull member 305 is fixedly connected to the primary fork 1, and the other end of the flexible pull member 305 is fixedly connected to the tertiary fork 4.

[0024] After the drive mechanism 2 drives the secondary fork 3 to move via the rack 303, the top member 304 at one end of the secondary fork 3 moves forward, forcing the flexible traction member 305 to move at the end connected to the tertiary fork 4, thereby generating a pulling force on the tertiary fork 4 and driving the tertiary fork 4 to move, thus realizing the telescopic movement of the secondary fork 3 and the tertiary fork 4; the use of the flexible traction member 305 and the top member 304 for driving can reduce the cost of use and the manufacturing and installation accuracy.

[0025] like Figure 4 As shown, a first fixing part 102 is provided on the primary fork body 1, and a second fixing part 402 is provided on the tertiary fork body 4. The two ends of the flexible tension member 305 are respectively connected to the first fixing part 102 and the second fixing part 402. The first fixing part 102 and the second fixing part 402 can be screws, which pass through the holes in the flexible tension member 305 and are then threadedly connected to the primary fork body 1 and the tertiary fork body 4. The first fixing part 102 and the second fixing part 402 can also be fixed by other structures or connection methods, such as direct welding.

[0026] The specific scaling principle of this application is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, Figure 5 The top image shows the telescopic fork not extended. Figure 5 The middle image shows the telescopic fork extended to the left. Figure 5 The bottom diagram shows the telescopic fork extended to the right. When the telescopic fork extends to the left, the secondary fork 3 is driven to the left by the drive mechanism 2, and the top member 304 on the left pushes the flexible pulling member 305 on the left. The flexible pulling member 305 pulls the tertiary fork 4, thereby realizing the extension of the telescopic fork. When the telescopic fork extends to the right, the secondary fork 3 is driven to the right by the drive mechanism 2, and the top member 304 on the right pushes the flexible pulling member 305 on the right. The flexible pulling member 305 pulls the tertiary fork 4, thereby realizing the bidirectional extension and retraction of the telescopic fork.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the drive mechanism 2 includes a motor drive assembly 201 fixed on the primary fork body 1. A drive sprocket 202 is rotatably mounted on the motor drive assembly 201, and a first driven sprocket 203 and a second driven sprocket 204 are rotatably mounted on the primary fork body 1. The first driven sprocket 203 and the second driven sprocket 204 are located on the same horizontal plane. A drive chain 205 connected end to end is meshed on the drive sprocket 202, the first driven sprocket 203, and the second driven sprocket 204. The motor drive assembly 201 drives the drive sprocket 202 to rotate, thereby driving the first driven sprocket 203, the second driven sprocket 204, and the drive chain 205 to rotate. The drive chain 205 located between the first driven sprocket 203 and the second driven sprocket 204 is a horizontal drive section 207, which meshes with a rack 303, thereby driving the rack 303 to move with the secondary fork body 3.

[0028] A tension sprocket 206 is rotatably mounted on the primary fork body 1, located between the second driven sprocket 204 and the driving sprocket 202, and meshing with the outside of the drive chain 205. The tension sprocket 206 is positioned at a higher height than the second driven sprocket 204. The tension sprocket 206 can tension the drive chain 205 to ensure stable transmission. At the same time, the tension sprocket 206 can also reduce the portion of the drive chain 205 protruding from the upper end of the primary fork body 1, preventing the drive chain 205 from affecting the operation of other structures.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, both the secondary fork 3 and the tertiary fork 4 are U-shaped frames, with the primary fork 1 located inside the secondary fork 3 and the secondary fork 3 located inside the tertiary fork 4. That is, the primary fork 1, secondary fork 3, and tertiary fork 4 progressively widen, increasing the working area of ​​the tertiary fork 4. The bottom of the tertiary fork 4 is connected to a lifting device 5, which can be used to lift batteries, thereby enabling battery swapping operations on the battery swapping vehicle.

[0030] The first-stage fork 1 has first guide rails 101 arranged along its length on both sides, and the second-stage fork 3 has several first rollers 301 arranged rotatably on its inner side, which cooperate with the first guide rails 101. During movement, the second-stage fork 3 rolls in the first guide rails 101 via the first rollers 301, thereby reducing wear between the first-stage fork 1 and the second-stage fork 3.

[0031] The third-stage fork 4 has second guide rails 401 arranged along its length on both sides, and several second rollers 302 that cooperate with the second guide rails 401 are rotatably arranged on the outer side of the second-stage fork 3. During movement, the third-stage fork 4 rolls in the second guide rails 401 via the second rollers 302, thereby reducing wear between the second-stage fork 3 and the third-stage fork 4.

[0032] Wear-resistant strips 6 are provided on the upper and lower inner sides of the first guide rail 101 and the second guide rail 401, with a gap between the upper wear-resistant strip 6 and the first roller 301 and the second roller 302. The wear-resistant strips 6 are used to reduce the wear of the guide rails. The upper and lower wear-resistant strips 6 can also be used to limit the vertical movement of the rollers in the guide rails. The gap between the upper wear-resistant strip 6 and the roller is to avoid affecting the rolling of the roller.

[0033] The flexible traction component 305 uses a connecting rope or chain. Both the connecting rope and chain can pull the third-stage fork 4 to move; to improve the tensile strength of the flexible traction component 305, a chain is preferred; furthermore, to reduce chain wear, the top component 304 is configured as a sprocket, and the sprocket is rotatably connected to the second-stage fork 3. Existing gear and rack transmission structures are prone to rigid damage under excessive transmission loads or overloads. The chain transmission of this application has significant advantages: 1. Chain transmission is more durable under heavy loads and impact loads, and has lower maintenance costs; 2. Chain transmission has stronger reliability in extreme environments and is applicable to a wider range of scenarios.

[0034] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A bidirectional telescopic fork, comprising a primary fork body (1), characterized in that, The first-stage fork (1) is slidably connected to the second-stage fork (3). A rack (303) is fixedly provided on the second-stage fork (3) along its length. The first-stage fork (1) is provided with a drive mechanism (2) for cooperating with the rack (303) to drive the second-stage fork (3) to move. The second-stage fork (3) is slidably connected to the third-stage fork (4). The two ends of the second-stage fork (3) are connected to top members (304). Each top member (304) abuts against a flexible pull member (305) that is not connected end to end. One end of the flexible pull member (305) is fixedly connected to the first-stage fork (1), and the other end of the flexible pull member (305) is fixedly connected to the third-stage fork (4).

2. The bidirectional telescopic fork according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive mechanism (2) includes a motor drive assembly (201) fixed on the first-stage fork (1). A drive sprocket (202) is rotatably mounted on the motor drive assembly (201). A first driven sprocket (203) and a second driven sprocket (204) are rotatably mounted on the first-stage fork (1). The first driven sprocket (203) and the second driven sprocket (204) are located on the same horizontal plane. A transmission chain (205) connected end to end is meshed on the drive sprocket (202), the first driven sprocket (203), and the second driven sprocket (204).

3. The bidirectional telescopic fork according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first-stage fork (1) is rotatably equipped with a tension sprocket (206) located between the second driven sprocket (204) and the driving sprocket (202) and meshed on the outside of the transmission chain (205). The height of the tension sprocket (206) is higher than that of the second driven sprocket (204).

4. A bidirectional telescopic fork according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the secondary fork (3) and the tertiary fork (4) are U-shaped frames, with the primary fork (1) located inside the secondary fork (3) and the secondary fork (3) located inside the tertiary fork (4).

5. A bidirectional telescopic fork according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first-stage fork (1) is provided with first guide rails (101) on both sides along the length direction, and the inner side of the second-stage fork (3) is provided with several first rollers (301) that cooperate with the first guide rails (101).

6. A bidirectional telescopic fork according to claim 5, characterized in that, The three-stage fork (4) is provided with second guide rails (401) along its length on both sides, and the outer side of the two-stage fork (3) is provided with several second rollers (302) that cooperate with the second guide rails (401).

7. A bidirectional telescopic fork according to claim 6, characterized in that, Wear-resistant strips (6) are provided on the upper and lower sides of the inner sides of the first guide rail (101) and the second guide rail (401), and there is a gap between the upper wear-resistant strip (6) and the first roller (301) and the second roller (302).

8. A bidirectional telescopic fork according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible tensioning element (305) is made of a connecting rope or chain.

9. A bidirectional telescopic fork according to claim 8, characterized in that, The flexible tensioning element (305) is made of chain.

10. A bidirectional telescopic fork according to claim 9, characterized in that, The top component (304) is a sprocket and the sprocket is rotatably connected to the secondary fork body (3).

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