A pallet truck fork guide mechanism

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of forklift technology, specifically a pallet truck fork guiding mechanism, comprising a guide member disposed on the forks and a support member disposed on the forks; wherein, the guide member guides the support member to move the forks in a predetermined direction, the longitudinal height of the support member is greater than the longitudinal height of the guide member, and the height difference between the bottom of the support member and the bottom of the guide member is H; both the front and rear ends of the guide member are provided with rounded corners R. This utility model, by designing a guide member on the forks, facilitates guiding the forks into the pallet bottom handling groove during pallet transport. The rounded corner transition reduces the friction between the forks and the pallet, thereby improving the applicability of the pallet truck. Furthermore, the guide member does not directly contact the ground, reducing friction with the ground and eliminating the need for a rotating structure between the guide member and the forks, thus reducing the overall vehicle cost while improving the forklift's service life and brand competitiveness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of forklift technology, and in particular to a pallet truck fork guiding mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Pallet trucks, as core material handling equipment in industrial production, logistics warehousing, and transportation, play a crucial supporting role in improving overall logistics efficiency by enabling the efficient transfer and stacking of palletized goods. With the rapid development of modern logistics towards intensification and efficiency, cargo handling efficiency has become one of the core bottlenecks restricting the overall effectiveness of logistics systems. The market is placing higher demands on the adaptability, versatility, and operational stability of pallet trucks.

[0003] In practical applications, grid pallets are widely used for the storage and transfer of various goods due to their stable structure and uniform load-bearing capacity. However, the fork structure design of traditional pallet trucks is mainly adapted to ordinary flat pallets or grid pallets. When facing an empty grid pallet, the forks cannot smoothly insert into the support gap at the bottom of the pallet, which easily leads to the forks pushing the pallet horizontally. This makes it impossible to complete normal picking and handling operations, seriously limiting the applicability of traditional pallet trucks.

[0004] Currently, there are few pallet trucks on the market specifically designed for handling crisscross pallets. There are two common solutions for handling crisscross pallets: The first is to use a wide-leg forklift or a counterbalance forklift, which is costly and has a large overall size and poor maneuverability, making it unsuitable for small spaces; the second is to add guide wheels to the forks of a regular pallet truck. However, the guide wheels are subjected to the pressure of the goods and friction from the ground for a long time, which can easily lead to wheel wear, bearing damage, and other failures. This not only affects the continuity of operations but also requires frequent replacement of the guide wheels, significantly increasing the maintenance costs and downtime of the equipment, making it difficult to meet the needs of continuous industrial operations.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a fork structure for pallet trucks that is simple in structure, highly adaptable, and low in maintenance cost, in order to fill the market gap and meet the logistics industry's demand for efficient and low-cost pallet handling. Utility Model Content

[0006] In view of the technical problems existing in the above-mentioned pallet truck fork guiding mechanisms, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a pallet truck fork guiding mechanism, wherein the guiding mechanism is installed on the forks, including, A guide member provided on the forks, and a support member provided on the forks; The guide member is used to guide the support member to move the forks in a predetermined direction. The longitudinal height of the support member is greater than the longitudinal height of the guide member, and the height difference between the bottom of the support member and the bottom of the guide member is H. The front and rear ends of the guide are both provided with rounded corners R.

[0007] Furthermore, the guide includes a guide plate disposed at the bottom of the forks.

[0008] Furthermore, the support member includes a support wheel located at the bottom of the fork carriage.

[0009] Furthermore, the radius of the fillet R is ≥200mm.

[0010] Furthermore, the range of H is 4~10 mm.

[0011] Furthermore, the tray is a grid-patterned tray.

[0012] Furthermore, the guide is fixedly disposed at the front end of the fork.

[0013] Furthermore, the support member is arranged parallel to the guide member.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the pallet truck fork guiding mechanism of this utility model are as follows: By designing guide components on the forks, it is convenient to guide the forks into the bottom handling groove of the pallet when transporting the pallet. The rounded transition reduces the friction between the forks and the pallet, thereby improving the applicability of the pallet forklift. In addition, the guide components do not directly contact the ground, reducing friction with the ground. There is also no need to install a rotating structure between the guide components and the forks, which reduces the overall cost of the vehicle and improves the service life and brand competitiveness of the forklift.

[0015] When the radius of the fillet R is equal to 200mm, the effective guide section length of the guide plate remains optimal, which can balance smoothness and guiding accuracy. When the fillet part of the guide plate is fully inserted into the bottom horizontal plate of the pallet, the bottom surface of the guide plate presses against the horizontal plate and provides an upward force to the support wheel, helping the support wheel to smoothly cross the horizontal plate. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments 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. Among them: Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the grid-patterned tray of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the forks in this utility model preparing to enter the first set of horizontal plates on the pallet.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the guide component entering the tray in this utility model.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the guide component entering the tray in this utility model. Figure 2 .

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the support component starting to cross the tray in this utility model.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the fork tip entering the second set of horizontal plates on the pallet in this utility model. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the forks starting to exit the pallet in this utility model.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Grid pallet; 11. Horizontal plate; 12. Fork entry slot; 2. Fork carriage; 21. Forks; 22. Guide plate; 23. Support wheels. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0026] Secondly, the term "an embodiment" or "embodiment" as used herein refers to a specific feature, structure, or characteristic that may be included in at least one implementation of the present invention. The phrase "in one embodiment" appearing in different places in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a single or selective embodiment that excludes other embodiments.

[0027] like Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the grid pallet 1 in this utility model. The horizontal plate 11 is in direct contact with the ground. There is a fork entry groove 12 between the horizontal plates 11 to facilitate the entry of the forks 21 into the grid pallet 1 and to create rigid contact. This facilitates the subsequent lifting and movement of the grid pallet 1 by the forks 21. The grid pallet 1 is axially symmetrical and centrally symmetrical. No matter what angle the grid pallet 1 is handled from, the movement trajectory of the forks is consistent.

[0028] Example 1 Reference Figures 1 to 8This is the first embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment provides a pallet truck fork 21 guiding mechanism. The guiding mechanism is used to guide the forks 21 into and out of the pallet, including... The guide member fixedly installed at the bottom of the fork 21 extends in the same direction as the predetermined path of the fork 21 entering and leaving the pallet, providing precise guidance and thus constraining the movement trajectory of the fork 21 and preventing lateral deviation; and the support member fixedly installed at the bottom of the fork 21 is arranged parallel to the guide member and maintains a preset distance from the guide member to ensure that it does not interfere with the pallet during operation, and the support member is in direct contact with the ground, capable of bearing part of the load of the fork 21 and the pallet, while working with the guide member to achieve smooth movement.

[0029] The guide is used to guide the support to move the fork 21 in a predetermined direction. The longitudinal height of the support is greater than the longitudinal height of the guide, and the height difference is H. When the fork 21 is inserted into the pallet, the step structure formed by the height difference H effectively prevents foreign objects from getting stuck between the guide and the support, thus improving the safety of the device. Both the front and rear ends of the guide are equipped with rounded corners R. The rounded corners can smoothly transition to the edge of the pallet, avoiding scratching the inner side of the pallet longitudinal beam or the weld seam or burrs on the bottom of the pallet when it is inserted, thus achieving smooth insertion. The rounded corner R at the rear end is used to prevent the tail of the guide from hooking the bottom edge of the pallet when the forks 21 are pulled out, thereby improving the stability of the device.

[0030] During use, the fork carriage 2 drives the forks 21 to insert into the pallet. The rounded corner R at the front end of the guide first contacts the bottom horizontal plate 11 of the pallet, and the rounded transition eliminates the jamming caused by hard contact. At the same time, the guide constrains the forks 21 to move in a predetermined direction. At this time, the support, due to its higher height, prioritizes contact with the bottom horizontal plate 11 of the pallet to bear the load, avoiding stress on the guide. During the movement of the forks 21, the guide continuously provides trajectory constraints, and the support provides stable load-bearing. The two work together to achieve a non-offset and jamming insertion action. When the operation is completed and the forks 21 are withdrawn, the rounded corner R at the rear end of the guide also plays a smooth transition role to avoid snagging on the bottom of the pallet. At the same time, the support and the guide maintain the movement trajectory together to ensure that the forks 21 smoothly detach from the pallet.

[0031] This embodiment has a simple structure and low manufacturing cost, and can be adapted to pallet truck operations under normal working conditions. Its height difference H and fillet R adaptation design can effectively improve operating efficiency, reduce wear and tear on the mechanism and pallet, and extend service life.

[0032] Example 2 Reference Figures 1 to 8This is the second embodiment of the present invention. The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the guide component includes a guide plate 22 fixedly disposed at the bottom of the fork 21; the width of the guide plate 22 is adapted to the inner gap of the pallet longitudinal beam, ensuring that it fits and guides the pallet longitudinal beam during operation, while avoiding lateral swaying; the support component includes a support wheel 23 disposed at the bottom of the fork 21, which is rotatably assembled at the bottom of the fork 21 through a wheel axle and bearing, and is symmetrically arranged along the width direction of the fork 21. The wheel width of the support wheel 23 is adapted to the width of the guide plate 22, ensuring that the force is uniform when in contact with the bottom of the pallet, and that it does not interfere with the guide plate 22.

[0033] When the radius of the fillet R is 200mm and the height H is 6mm, the fillet at the front end of the guide plate 22 completely covers the height step between the support wheel 23 and the guide plate 22, and at the same time precisely matches the transition requirements of the edge of the cross plate 11. When the guide plate 22 contacts the edge of the cross plate 11, the fillet R can guide the fork 21 to smoothly cross the cross plate 11, avoiding the sharp corners from jamming the cross plate 11. At the same time, the effective guide section length of the guide plate 22 remains optimal. When the fillet area of ​​the guide plate 22 is fully inserted into the fork slot 12, it can provide an upward lifting force to the support wheel 23, so that the support wheel 23 smoothly crosses the cross plate 11, avoiding the support wheel 23 directly pushing the pallet to move, thus taking into account both smoothness and guiding accuracy.

[0034] When the pallet truck is in operation, the fork carriage 2 guides the forks 21 into the pallet. When the guide plate 22 contacts the horizontal plate 11 at the bottom of the pallet, the guide plate 22 moves smoothly above the horizontal plate 11 with the rounded transition and exerts a downward force on the horizontal plate 11. At this time, the support wheel 23 lifts up and follows the guide plate 22 across the horizontal plate 11, so that the forks 21 are fully inserted into the fork slot 12, which facilitates the subsequent movement of the pallet.

[0035] Example 3 Reference Figures 1 to 8 This is the third embodiment of the present invention. The difference between this embodiment and the previous one is that the pallet is a grid pallet 1 with longitudinal beams and transverse beams. During use, the guide plate 22 constrains the travel trajectory, driving the forks 21 and support wheels 23 into the fork entry slots 12 below the grid pallet 1. When the support wheels 23 cross the transverse plate 11, the other support wheels 23 continuously bear the load, avoiding the guide plate 22 from being stressed and ensuring that the guiding accuracy is not affected.

[0036] The guide is fixedly installed at the front end of the fork 21. When the fork begins to enter the pallet and passes through a set of cross plates 11, the rounded corners of the guide also contact the cross plates 11 and constrain the fork 21 and the support to move along the direction of the fork entry groove 12, so as to avoid the fork 21 from lateral displacement, interfering with the pallet and affecting the stability of handling.

[0037] During use, the pallet truck's drive forks 21 insert into the pallet. Figure 3This diagram illustrates the initial entry of the forks 21 into the pallet. Subsequently, the guide plate 22 constrains the forks 21 into the fork entry slot 12 at the bottom of the pallet. Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the movement of guide plate 22 to the first set of horizontal plates 11. When the rounded corners R of guide plate 22 are fully inserted into the conveying groove, the front end of guide plate 22 presses against the horizontal plate 11, while simultaneously guiding support wheel 23 to lift up, thus smoothly crossing the horizontal plate 11. Figures 5-7 The diagram shows the support wheel 23 entering, crossing, and passing over the fork entry slot 12. When exiting the pallet, according to... Figure 8 It can be seen that the guide plate 22 leaves the transport groove first to avoid the support wheel 23 getting caught on the horizontal plate 11, causing jamming or friction that could damage the guide plate 22.

[0038] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solution of this utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of this utility model, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A pallet truck fork guiding mechanism, wherein the guiding mechanism is mounted on the forks (21), characterized in that: include, A guide member provided on the fork (21), and a support member provided on the fork (21); The guide is used to guide the support to move the fork (21) in a predetermined direction. The longitudinal height of the support is greater than the longitudinal height of the guide, and the height difference between the bottom of the support and the bottom of the guide is H. The front and rear ends of the guide are both provided with rounded corners R.

2. The pallet truck fork guide mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The guide includes a guide plate (22) disposed at the bottom of the forks (21).

3. The pallet truck fork guide mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The support includes a support wheel (23) located at the bottom of the fork (21).

4. The pallet truck fork guide mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The radius of the fillet R is ≥200mm.

5. The pallet truck fork guide mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The range of H is 4~10mm.

6. The pallet truck fork guide mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The tray is a grid-patterned tray (1).

7. The pallet truck fork guide mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The guide is fixedly mounted on the front end of the fork (21).

8. The pallet jack fork guide mechanism of claim 1, wherein: The support member is arranged parallel to the guide member.

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