Pallet fork mechanism, goods storage drawer device, and warehouse logistics management system

Abstract

To provide a pallet fork mechanism, goods storage drawer device, and warehouse logistics management system that lead to achieving a higher rack storage density.SOLUTION: A pallet fork mechanism, a product storage drawer device, and a warehouse logistics management system are provided. The pallet fork mechanism (FM) includes: a mounting frame (10); a hooking assembly (20) which is movably provided on the mounting frame (10) and includes a hooking body (21) with a hooking and pulling portion (211) for hooking and pulling goods (GS); and a first drive assembly (30) configured to be drive-connected to the hooking assembly and to drive the hooking assembly (20) to move in a first direction (dr1) in order to perform the function of hooking and pulling the goods (GS) in the first direction (dr1) with the hooking and pulling portion (211).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of logistics management, and more particularly, to a pallet fork mechanism, an article storing and extracting device, and a warehouse logistics management system.

Background Art

[0002] In systems for the stock-in and stock-out of material cases, pallet forks for storage and extraction are used to transfer the material cases between the pallet forks and the article positions in the rack. In some related technologies, the pallet forks for storage and extraction include clamping-type pallet forks and lifting-type pallet forks. The clamping-type pallet forks extend the fork plates on both sides of the article and clamp the article between the fork plates and the swing arms on the pallet fork plate by applying a lateral pushing force or a lateral pulling force to the article to effect the transfer of the article. The lifting-type pallet forks support and lift the article by a lifting mechanism to effect the transfer of the article together with a lateral drive mechanism.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The inventors have found through investigation that the clamping-type pallet forks and the lifting-type pallet forks in the related technologies have requirements for the interval between the material cases stored in the warehouse rack or the layer height of the warehouse rack, and thus it is not easy to achieve a higher rack storage density, and also the articles are stored and retrieved by the pallet forks at a lower speed and with lower efficiency.

[0004] In view of this, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pallet fork mechanism, an article storage and retrieval device, and a warehouse logistics management system that lead to achieving a higher rack storage density.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a pallet fork mechanism including a mounting frame, a hook assembly including a hook body movably provided on the mounting frame and having a hook-and-pull portion for hooking and pulling an article, and a first drive assembly drivingly connected to the hook assembly and configured to drive the hook assembly to move in a first direction to realize the function of hooking and pulling the article in the first direction by the hook-and-pull portion.

[0006] In some embodiments, the hook body further has a pushing portion for pushing the article, and the first drive assembly is further configured to drive the hook assembly to move in a second direction to realize the function of pushing the article in the second direction by the pushing portion.

[0007] In some embodiments, the hook-and-pull portion and the pushing portion are disposed on two opposite sides of the hook body in the first direction, and the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

[0008] In some embodiments, the hook assembly includes a bracket and at least one set of hook bodies connected to the bracket, and each set of hook bodies includes a single hook body or a plurality of hook bodies disposed on the same side of the bracket.

[0009] In some embodiments, at least one set of hook bodies includes a first set of hook bodies and a second set of hook bodies. The first set of hook bodies is disposed on the side of the bracket farther from the second set of hook bodies in the first direction, and the second set of hook bodies is disposed on the side of the bracket farther from the first set of hook bodies in the second direction. The first drive assembly is configured to drive the hook assembly to move in the first direction in order to realize the function of hooking and pulling an article in the first direction by the hooking and pulling portion of the first set of hook bodies, or to realize the function of pushing the article in the first direction by the pushing portion of the second set of hook bodies, and / or to drive the hook assembly to move in the second direction in order to realize the function of pushing the article in the second direction by the pushing portion of the first set of hook bodies, or to realize the function of hooking and pulling the article in the second direction by the hooking and pulling portion of the second set of hook bodies.

[0010] In some embodiments, at least one set of hook bodies includes a single set of hook bodies. The first driving assembly is configured to drive the hook assembly to move in a first direction to realize the function of hooking and pulling an article in the first direction by the hooking and pulling portion of the single set of hook bodies at the first rotational position, or to realize the function of pushing the article in the first direction by the pushing portion of the single set of hook bodies at the second rotational position. Here, the single set of hook bodies travels back and forth between the first rotational position and the second rotational position by rotating, and the single set of hook bodies at the first rotational position and the single set of hook bodies at the second rotational position are centrosymmetric. And / or, the first driving assembly is configured to drive the hook assembly to move in a second direction to realize the function of pushing the article in the second direction by the pushing portion of the single set of hook bodies at the third rotational position, or to realize the function of hooking and pulling the article in the second direction by the hooking and pulling portion of the single set of hook bodies at the fourth rotational position. Here, the single set of hook bodies travels back and forth between the third rotational position and the fourth rotational position by rotating, and the single set of hook bodies at the third rotational position and the single set of hook bodies of the hook assembly at the fourth rotational position are centrosymmetric.

[0011] In some embodiments, the hooking and pulling portion is configured to enter and exit a hookable-and-pullable part of the article in a direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, the hooking and pulling portion is configured to enter the hookable-and-pullable part of the article in a vertically upward direction.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first driving assembly includes a hook seat connected to the hook assembly, and a first power element connected to the hook seat by a first linear transmission structure and configured to drive the hook seat to move in the first direction or the second direction by the first linear transmission structure.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first linear transmission structure includes a transmission wheel set provided on the mounting frame and connected to the first power element, and a transmission belt wound around the transmission wheel set and fixedly connected to the hook seat.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first drive assembly further includes a first linear guide structure provided between the hook seat and the mounting frame and configured to guide the movement of the hook seat relative to the mounting frame in a first direction or a second direction.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first linear guide structure includes a first sliding rail provided on the mounting frame and extending in the first direction, and a first sliding block provided on the hook seat so as to slidably fit with the first sliding rail.

[0017] In some embodiments, the pallet fork mechanism further includes a second drive assembly configured to be drivingly connected to the hook assembly and drive the hook assembly to move in a third direction or a direction opposite to the third direction, and the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first direction is parallel to the horizontal plane, and the third direction is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first drive assembly includes a hook seat connected to the hook assembly, and the second drive assembly includes a second power element connected to at least one of the hook seat and the hook assembly and configured to drive the hook assembly to move relative to the hook seat.

[0020] In some embodiments, the second power element is a first through-shaft screw motor having a first electric motor housing fixedly connected to the hook seat and a first parent screw extending through the first electric motor housing, wherein one end of the first parent screw is connected to the hook assembly and the other end of the first parent screw extends through the hook seat. The first through-shaft screw motor is included.

[0021] In some embodiments, the second drive assembly further includes a second linear guide structure provided between the hook seat and the hook assembly and configured to guide the movement of the hook assembly relative to the hook seat in a third direction or in a direction opposite to the third direction.

[0022] In some embodiments, the second linear guide structure includes a second sliding rail provided on the hook assembly and extending in the third direction, and a second sliding block provided on the hook seat and slidably fitted with the second sliding rail.

[0023] In some embodiments, the pallet fork mechanism further includes a conveying assembly provided on the mounting frame and configured to convey an article in a first direction or a second direction.

[0024] In some embodiments, the time ranges during which the conveying assembly and the hook assembly act on the article respectively are configured not to overlap.

[0025] In some embodiments, the time ranges during which the conveying assembly and the hook assembly act on the article respectively are configured to at least partially overlap.

[0026] In some embodiments, the conveying assembly is disposed above the mounting frame, and the pallet fork mechanism further includes a second drive assembly drivingly connected to the hook assembly or the first drive assembly and configured to drive the hook assembly to move in a third direction or in a direction opposite to the third direction such that the hook assembly extends or retracts relative to the conveying surface of the conveying assembly.

[0027] In some embodiments, the transport assembly includes a pair of spaced-apart transport members and a transport drive element for driving and operating the pair of transport members, and the hook assembly is disposed between the pair of transport members or on a side of at least one of the pair of transport members that is far from the other transport member.

[0028] In some embodiments, the pallet fork mechanism further includes a bracket, and the mounting frame is fixed on the bracket and provided detachably or movably.

[0029] In some embodiments, the pallet fork mechanism further includes a third drive assembly provided on the bracket and drivingly connected to the mounting frame and configured to drive the mounting frame to move in a first direction or a direction opposite to the first direction with respect to the bracket.

[0030] In some embodiments, the third drive assembly includes a third power element connected to the mounting frame and configured to drive the mounting frame to move with respect to the bracket.

[0031] In some embodiments, the third power element is a second through-shaft screw motor having a second electric motor housing fixed and connected to the bracket and a second parent screw extending through the second electric motor housing, and both ends of the second parent screw are connected to the mounting frame.

[0032] In some embodiments, the third drive assembly further includes a third linear guide structure provided between the bracket and the mounting frame and configured to guide the movement of the mounting frame with respect to the bracket in the first direction or a direction opposite to the first direction.

[0033] In some embodiments, the third linear guide structure includes a third sliding rail provided on the mounting frame and extending in a first direction, and a third sliding block provided on the bracket and slidably cooperating with the third sliding rail.

[0034] In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an article storage drawer device including the above pallet fork mechanism.

[0035] In some embodiments, the article storage drawer device further includes at least two first tracks spaced apart in at least one direction, and at least two second tracks movably provided along the at least two first tracks by a moving mechanism, and the pallet fork mechanism is movably provided along the at least two second tracks.

[0036] In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a warehouse logistics management system including a warehouse rack and the article storage drawer device according to claim 30 or 31 provided on the warehouse rack.

[0037] Therefore, in an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the first drive assembly is drivingly connected to the hook assembly, and drives the hook assembly to move in the first direction so as to enable the hooking and pulling portion of the hook body of the hook assembly to hook and pull an article in the first direction. As a result, the hook body can move the article in the first direction by hooking and pulling the article on the side facing the article. Compared with the clamping type pallet fork and the lifting type pallet fork in the related art, the hook assembly does not need to clamp or lift the article, and therefore, the requirements for the spacing between articles and the height of the article position can be reduced, and thus, a higher rack storage density can be achieved.

[0038] The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0039] The present disclosure can be more clearly understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0041] It should be understood that the dimensions of the various components shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn in accordance with the actual scale relationships. Further, the same or similar reference symbols indicate the same or similar components.

[0042] Next, various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description of the exemplary embodiments is merely for illustrative purposes and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure and its application or use. The present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the relative arrangements of the components and steps, the composition of materials, the mathematical formulas, and the numerical values described in these embodiments should be construed as merely illustrative and not restrictive.

[0043] Similar terms such as "first", "second", etc. used in the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quality, or importance, and are used only to distinguish various components. Similar terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean including the elements listed after the term without precluding the possibility that the elements before the term include other elements. Terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. are used only to indicate relative positional relationships. After the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationships can also change accordingly.

[0044] In this disclosure, when it is described that a specific device is disposed between a first device and a second device, there may or may not be an intervening device between the specific device and the first device or the second device. When it is described that a specific device is connected to another device, the specific device may be directly connected to the other device without an intervening device, or may have an intervening device without being directly connected to the other device.

[0045] All terms (including technical terms or scientific terms) used in this disclosure shall have the same meaning as understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains, unless specifically defined otherwise. Also, terms defined in a general dictionary, for example, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the related art, and it should be understood that they should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this specification.

[0046] Technologies, methods, and facilities known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but such technologies, methods, and facilities should be regarded as part of the description under appropriate circumstances.

[0047] In some related arts, a storage retrieval pallet fork includes a clamping type pallet fork and a lifting type pallet fork. The clamping type pallet fork extends pallet fork plates on both sides of an article, and clamps the article between the fork plate and a swing arm on the fork plate, and applies a lateral pushing force or pulling force to the article to implement the transfer of the article. The lifting type pallet fork supports and lifts the article by a lifting mechanism, and implements the transfer of the article together with a lateral drive mechanism.

[0048] In the related art, the clamping-type pallet fork and the lifting-type pallet fork have requirements for the spacing between the material cases stored in the warehouse rack or the layer height of the warehouse rack. Therefore, it is not easy to achieve a higher rack storage density. Also, the inventors have found from investigations that articles are stored and retrieved by the pallet fork at a slower speed and with lower efficiency.

[0049] In consideration of this, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pallet fork mechanism, an article storage and retrieval device, and a warehouse logistics management system that lead to achieving a higher rack storage density.

[0050] In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a pallet fork mechanism including a mounting frame, a hook assembly movably provided on the mounting frame and including a hook body having a hooking and pulling portion for hooking an article, and a first driving assembly drivingly connected to the hook assembly and configured to drive the hook assembly to move in a first direction to realize the function of hooking and pulling the article in the first direction by the hooking and pulling portion.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first driving assembly is drivingly connected to the hook assembly and drives the hook assembly to move in the first direction so that the hooking and pulling portion of the hook body of the hook assembly can perform the function of hooking and pulling the article in the first direction. As a result, the hook body can move the article in the first direction by hooking and pulling the article on the side facing the article. Compared with the clamping-type pallet fork and the lifting-type pallet fork in the related art, the hook assembly does not need to clamp or lift the article. Therefore, the requirements for the spacing between articles at the article position and the height of the article position can be reduced, and thus it may lead to achieving a higher rack storage density.

[0052] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of some embodiments of a warehouse logistics management system according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a warehouse logistics management system including a warehouse rack SR and an article storage and retrieval device. The warehouse rack SR can be configured as a single-layer or multi-layer structure, and one or more article positions (i.e., article storage spaces) for storing articles GS can be provided on each layer of the warehouse rack SR. The plurality of article positions may be separated from each other or may communicate with each other. The plurality of article positions in each layer can be arranged in at least one direction, such as one direction parallel to the horizontal plane or two directions perpendicular to each other.

[0053] The article storage and retrieval device is provided on the warehouse rack SR and can be used to take out the article GS from a specified article position in the warehouse rack SR, and can also be used to place the article GS at a specified article position in the warehouse rack SR. The article storage and retrieval device can move to a position with a site adjacent to the warehouse rack SR to pick up the article GS from a temporary storage position in the warehouse rack SR (for example, a lower article position in the warehouse rack SR) or from a transfer vehicle TV operating on the site, or to install the article GS taken from the warehouse rack SR into a temporary storage position in the warehouse rack SR (for example, a lower article position in the warehouse rack SR) or into the transfer vehicle TV operating on the site. The transfer vehicle TV can place the article GS transferred to the transfer vehicle TV at a temporary storage position in the warehouse rack SR, or can receive and transfer the article GS from the temporary storage position in the warehouse rack SR.

[0054] The warehouse logistics management system can include a single warehouse rack SR or, as shown in FIG. 1, multiple warehouse racks SR. In the case of multiple warehouse racks SR, the warehouse racks may be spaced apart, and an operating space for the article storage and retrieval device can be formed between adjacent warehouse racks SR. One or more article storage and retrieval devices can be provided between adjacent warehouse racks SR. The multiple article storage and retrieval devices may be provided on a warehouse rack arranged on one side of adjacent warehouse racks SR, or may be provided on both of the adjacent warehouse racks SR.

[0055] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the mounting structure of an article storage and retrieval device on a warehouse rack in an embodiment of the warehouse logistics management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view of some embodiments of the article storage and retrieval device according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an article storage and retrieval device including a pallet fork mechanism FM. In an embodiment of the warehouse logistics management system of the present disclosure, the article storage and retrieval device can be provided on the warehouse rack SR. In other embodiments, the article storage and retrieval device can be applied to the warehouse logistics management system, but is not limited thereto.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in some embodiments, the article storage and retrieval device may further include at least two first tracks TR1 and at least two second tracks TR2. The at least two first tracks TR1 are arranged spaced apart in at least one direction, and the at least two second tracks TR2 are provided movably along the at least two first tracks TR1 by a moving mechanism TM. The pallet fork mechanism FM is provided movably on the at least two second tracks TR2.

[0057] In FIGS. 2 and 3, the article storage drawer device may include two first tracks TR1 extending horizontally and two second tracks TR2 extending vertically. The two first tracks TR1 are arranged to be vertically spaced apart. The first track TR1 may be attached to the frame of the warehouse rack SR or may be formed by the frame of the warehouse rack SR. For example, in FIG. 2, the frame cross beams of the top layer of the warehouse rack SR and the frame cross beams of the layer of the warehouse rack SR adjacent to the site may each be used as the two first tracks TR1.

[0058] The two second tracks TR2 are arranged to be horizontally spaced apart, and the pallet fork mechanism FM can have end portions movably connected to the two tracks TR2 respectively, and is arranged on the side far from the warehouse rack SR of the operating surface formed by the two second tracks TR2. Further, the pallet fork mechanism FM can be arranged between the two second tracks TR2 so as to enable the article GS to pass through the gap between the two second tracks TR2.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of some embodiments of the pallet fork mechanism according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of carrying an article in an embodiment of the pallet fork mechanism according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an article applied to an embodiment of the pallet fork mechanism according to the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a schematic principle diagram of hooking and pulling an article in a first direction in an embodiment of the pallet fork mechanism according to the present disclosure.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, the embodiment of the present disclosure provides a pallet fork mechanism FM. In the embodiment of the article storage drawer device of the present disclosure, the article storage drawer device includes the pallet fork mechanism FM. In other embodiments, the pallet fork mechanism FM can be applied to the article storage drawer device, but is not limited thereto.

[0061] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pallet fork mechanism FM includes a mounting frame 10, a hook assembly 20, and a first drive assembly 30. The hook assembly 20 is movably provided on the mounting frame 10. The hook assembly 20 includes a hook body 21. The hook body 21 has a hooking and pulling portion 211 for hooking and pulling an article GS. The first drive assembly 30 is drivingly connected to the hook assembly 20 and is configured to drive the hook assembly 20 to move in a first direction dr1 in order to realize the function of hooking and pulling the article GS in the first direction dr1 by the hooking and pulling portion 211.

[0062] The mounting frame 10 may be of a frame structure in order to facilitate the mounting of the hook assembly 20 and the first drive assembly 30 and to reduce or eliminate the risk that the hook assembly 20 interferes with the mounting frame 10 during operation. In other embodiments, the mounting frame 10 may also be of other structural forms, such as a plate-type structure or a box-type structure.

[0063] The hook body 21 of the hook assembly 20 can perform the hooking and pulling of the article GS, and accordingly, the hook body 21 has a hooking and pulling portion 211. The form of the hook body 21 can be an L-shape, a U-shape, or other shapes. The hooking and pulling portion 211 can enter the hooking and pulling possible portion HP from at least one side of the hooking and pulling possible portion HP of the article GS in order to reach a position where the article GS can be hooked and pulled.

[0064] FIG. 6 shows an article GS in the form of an article box having an internal space capable of accommodating a complete article or a bulky article. A hooking slot as the hooking and pulling possible portion HP may be provided on the outer wall of the article GS. As a result, the hooking and pulling portion 211 of the hook body 21 hooks and pulls the inner wall of the hooking slot in order to realize the function of hooking and pulling the article GS. The hooking slot may be a slot fixed to the side surface of the article by a thin metal plate or a plastic piece, or may be integrally formed with the article box by injection molding.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 7, the hook body 21 can move in the first direction dr1 under the drive of the first drive assembly 30. Accordingly, the hooking and pulling portion 211 of the hook body 21 can apply a force F to the hooking and pulling portion HP of the article GS in the first direction dr1. As a result, the article GS moves in the first direction dr1 at a specific speed and a specific acceleration.

[0066] Referring to the warehouse rack shown in FIG. 2, the pallet fork mechanism FM can pull out the article GS at the article position toward the pallet fork mechanism FM by the hooking and pulling portion 211 of the hook body 21. At this time, the hook body 21 can hook and pull the article GS on the side facing the article GS without acting on the article GS from the left and right sides, the back side, or the bottom side of the article GS to move the article GS as in the case of the clamping type pallet fork and the lifting type pallet fork in the related art. Therefore, the requirements for the interval between articles at the article position and the requirements for the height of the article position can be reduced, which leads to achieving a higher rack storage density.

[0067] In the business situation of warehouse logistics management, the first direction dr1 may be the direction from the warehouse rack toward the pallet fork mechanism, and this direction may be parallel to the horizontal plane or at a preset angle with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0068] FIG. 8 is a schematic principle diagram of pushing an article in a second direction in an embodiment of the pallet fork mechanism according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the hook body 21 also has a pushing portion 212 for pushing the article GS. The first drive assembly 30 is further configured to drive the hook assembly 20 to move in the second direction dr2 in order to realize the function of pushing the article GS in the second direction dr2 by the pushing portion 212.

[0069] In this embodiment, the first drive assembly 30 can drive the hook assembly 20 to move in the second direction dr2. In some embodiments, the second direction dr2 may be opposite to the first direction dr1, that is, the second direction dr2 is parallel and opposite to the first direction dr1. In other embodiments, the second direction dr2 may intersect the first direction dr1 at an acute angle, an obtuse angle, or a right angle.

[0070] By driving the hook assembly 20 by the first drive assembly 30, the pushing portion 212 of the hook body 21 can realize the function of pushing the article GS. Referring to FIG. 8, the pushing portion 212 can act on the outside of the hooking and pulling portion HP of the article GS, and by applying the force F in the second direction dr2, the article GS can be moved in the second direction dr2 at a specific speed and a specific acceleration. The pushing portion 212 is not limited, but can act on the outside of the hooking and pulling portion HP, and can also act on other components on the side of the article GS facing the pushing portion.

[0071] In an embodiment where the second direction dr2 is opposite to the first direction dr1, the hooking and pulling portion 211 and the pushing portion 212 can be respectively arranged on two opposite sides of the hook body 21 in the first direction dr1. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the left surface of the bent structure of the L-shaped hook body can function as the pushing portion 212, and the right surface of the bent structure can function as the hooking and pulling portion 211. This enables the hook body to realize the functions of pushing and hooking and pulling the structure on the side of the article GS adjacent to the hook body, and promotes taking out the article GS from the article position and placing the article at the article position, and further reduces the requirements for the interval between articles at the article position and the requirements for the height of the article position, thus leading to achieving a higher rack storage density.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an attachment structure of a hook assembly, a first drive assembly, and a second drive assembly in an embodiment of a pallet fork mechanism according to the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a schematic structural view of the attachment structure shown in FIG. 9 with a part of the structure omitted. FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an attachment structure of an attachment frame and a first drive assembly in an embodiment of a pallet fork mechanism according to the present disclosure.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, in some embodiments, the first drive assembly 30 further includes a hook seat 31 and a first power element 32. The hook seat 31 is connected to the hook assembly 20. The first power element 32 is connected to the hook seat 31 by a first linear transmission structure 33 and is configured to drive the hook seat 31 by the first linear transmission structure 33 to move in a first direction dr1 or a second direction dr2.

[0074] The hook assembly 20 is connected to the hook seat 31, and when the hook seat 31 is driven by the first power element 32 to move by the first linear transmission structure 33, the hook seat 31 also correspondingly moves the hook assembly 20. The first power element 32 may include, but is not limited to, an electric motor or a pneumatic motor.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 11, in some embodiments, the first linear transmission structure 33 includes a transmission wheel set 331 and a transmission belt 332. The transmission wheel set 331 is provided on the attachment frame 10 and is connected to the first power element 32. The transmission belt 332 is wound around the transmission wheel set 331 and is fixedly connected to the hook seat 31.

[0076] The first power element 32 can output torque to some of the transmission wheels of the transmission wheel set 331 to drive and rotate the transmission wheels. Also, when the transmission belt 332 is driven by the transmission wheels, it moves around the transmission wheel set 331, and the hook seat 31 fixedly connected to the transmission belt 332 also moves accordingly together with the transmission belt 332. The first power element 32 can be arranged on the outside of the first linear transmission structure 33 to avoid interfering with the hook seat 31 and the hook assembly 20.

[0077] In other embodiments, the first linear transmission structure 33 may be other transmission forms such as a gear-rack transmission structure or a ball screw transmission structure.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the first drive assembly 30 further includes a first linear guide structure 34. The first linear guide structure 34 is provided between the hook seat 31 and the mounting frame 10 and is configured to guide the movement of the hook seat 31 relative to the mounting frame 10 in the first direction dr1 or the second direction dr2.

[0079] The first linear guide structure 34 can assist the first linear transmission structure 33 so that the hook seat 31 moves stably and linearly in the first direction dr1 or the second direction dr2 to reduce the risk of dropping due to instability during the movement of the article GS.

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 11, in some embodiments, the first linear guide structure 34 includes a first sliding rail 341 and a first sliding block 342. The first sliding rail 341 is provided on the mounting frame 10 and extends in the first direction dr1. The first sliding block 342 is provided on the hook seat 31 so as to slidably fit with the first sliding rail 341.

[0081] A continuous sliding guide effect can be obtained between the first sliding rail 341 and the first sliding block 342 so that the movement of the hook seat 31 relative to the attachment frame 10 is smoother and more stable. In other embodiments, the first linear guide structure 34 can be of other structural forms, such as a guide structure in which a simple shaft engages with a sleeve.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the pallet fork mechanism FM further includes a second drive assembly 40. The second drive assembly 40 is drivingly connected to the hook assembly 20 or the first drive assembly 30 and is configured to drive the hook assembly 20 to move in a third direction dr3 or in a direction opposite to the third direction dr3, where the third direction dr3 is perpendicular to the first direction dr1.

[0083] The hook assembly 20 can be directly driven by the second drive assembly 40 or indirectly driven by the second drive assembly 40 via the first drive assembly 30 to move in a third direction dr3 or in a direction opposite to the third direction dr3. The movement of the hook assembly 20 in the third direction dr3 or in the direction opposite to the third direction dr3 can achieve the avoidance of the article GS. Referring to FIG. 5, when the article GS reaches directly above the pallet fork mechanism FM, the hook assembly 20 can move downward under the article GS to avoid interfering with the support and movement of the article GS.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first direction dr1 is parallel to the horizontal plane and the third direction dr3 is parallel to the vertical direction. That is, the hook assembly 20 can realize the hooking and pulling function in the horizontal direction and can reach or leave a position where the article GS can be hooked and pulled in the vertical direction. In combination with the driving of the hook assembly 20 by the first drive assembly 30, it is also possible to adjust the position of the hook assembly 20 when the hook assembly 20 is adjusted in the vertical direction, thereby enabling the hook assembly 20 to adjust its orientation and distance with respect to the article GS.

[0085] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an attachment structure of a hook assembly and a second drive assembly in an embodiment of a pallet fork mechanism according to the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a schematic view of driving the hook assembly by the second drive assembly to extend in a third direction in the attachment structure shown in FIG. 12. Referring to FIGS. 4, 12, and 13, in some embodiments, the first drive assembly 30 includes a hook seat 31 that is drivingly connected to the hook assembly 20, and the second drive assembly 40 includes a second power element 41. The second power element 41 is drivingly connected to the hook assembly 20 and is configured to drive the hook assembly 20 to move relative to the hook seat 31.

[0086] The second power element 41 can include an electric motor or a pneumatic motor and can drive the hook assembly 20 such that the hook assembly 20 moves in a third direction dr3 or in a direction opposite to the third direction dr3 relative to the hook seat 31.

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in some embodiments, the second power element 41 includes a first through-shaft screw motor. The first through-shaft screw motor has a first electric motor housing 411 fixedly connected to the hook seat 31 and a first parent screw 412 extending through the first electric motor housing 411. One end of the first parent screw 412 is connected to the hook assembly 20, and the other end of the first parent screw extends through the hook seat 31.

[0088] When the first through-shaft screw motor rotates in the forward or reverse direction, the first parent screw 412 can move forward or backward in the extending direction of the first parent screw 412. By fixing and connecting the first electric motor housing 411 of the first through-shaft screw motor to the hook seat 31 and connecting one end of the first parent screw 412 to the hook assembly 20, the hook assembly 20 can be moved away from or closer to the hook seat 31 when the first parent screw 412 moves relative to the first electric motor housing 411. The extending direction of the first parent screw 412 is parallel to the third direction dr3. In the case of such a through-shaft screw motor, the screw length between the hook seat 31 and the hook assembly 20 may be decreased as the screw length passing through the hook seat 31 increases, which leads to realizing a more compact structure. Further, the first electric motor housing 411 can also form a function of supporting and restricting the hook assembly 20.

[0089] To enable the hook assembly 20 to move stably relative to the hook seat 31 in the third direction dr3 or in the direction opposite to the third direction dr3, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in some embodiments, the second drive assembly 40 further includes a second linear guide structure 42. The second linear guide structure 42 is provided between the hook seat 31 and the hook assembly 20 and is configured to guide the movement of the hook assembly 20 relative to the hook seat 31 in the third direction dr3 or in the direction opposite to the third direction dr3.

[0090] In FIG. 12, the second linear guide structure 42 may include a second sliding rail 421 and a second sliding block 422. The second sliding rail 421 is provided on the hook assembly 20 and extends in the third direction dr3. The second sliding block 422 is provided on the hook seat 31 so as to slidably fit with the second sliding rail 421. The second sliding rail 421 may be provided on a bracket of the hook assembly 20 extending in the third direction dr3, or may be fixedly connected to the hook assembly 20 to function as a bracket of the hook assembly 20.

[0091] So that the movement of the hook assembly 20 relative to the hook seat 31 is smoother and more stable, a continuous sliding guide effect can be obtained between the second sliding rail 421 and the second sliding block 422. In other embodiments, the second linear guide structure 42 can be in other structural forms, such as a guide structure in which a simple shaft engages with a sleeve.

[0092] FIGS. 12 and 13 respectively show different relative positions between the second sliding rail 421 and the second sliding block 422 under the guidance of the second linear guide structure 42 and different relative distances between the hook seat 31 and the hook assembly 20.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the pallet fork mechanism FM further includes a transport assembly 50. The transport assembly 50 is provided on the mounting frame 10 and is configured to transport the article GS in the first direction dr1 or the second direction dr2. Both the hook assembly 20 and the transport assembly 50 can act on the article GS to move the article GS. Therefore, the hook assembly 20 and the transport assembly 50 can be appropriately configured according to actual requirements to achieve a more complex working process and enhance the adaptability to storing and retrieving articles in various situations.

[0094] In some embodiments, the time ranges during which the transport assembly 50 and the hook assembly 20 act on the article GS respectively are configured not to overlap. For example, the article GS is first hooked and pulled by the hook assembly 20, and after being hooked and pulled by a preset moving amount, it is instead further transported by the transport assembly 50. As another example, the article GS is first transported by the transport assembly 50, and after being transported by a preset moving amount, it is instead pushed by the hook assembly 20. This configuration can effectively reduce the risk that the transport assembly 50 and the hook assembly 20 interfere with each other.

[0095] In other embodiments, the time ranges during which the conveying assembly 50 and the hook assembly 20 act on the article GS respectively are configured to at least partially overlap. For example, during at least part of the process of hooking and pulling the article GS by the hook assembly 20, the article GS is conveyed in the same direction by the conveying assembly 50. As another example, during at least part of the process of conveying the article GS by the conveying assembly 50, the article GS is pushed in the same direction by the hook assembly 20. This configuration enables the conveying assembly 50 and the hook assembly 20 to act on the article GS in the same direction, and by increasing the driving force on the article GS, it can meet the driving force requirements of heavier articles GS, thus facilitating the realization of the combined process in which the conveying assembly 50 and the hook assembly 20 act on the article GS respectively, which leads to an increase in efficiency.

[0096] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in some embodiments, the conveying assembly 50 is disposed on the upper side of the mounting frame 10, and the pallet fork mechanism FM further includes a second driving assembly 40. The second driving assembly 40 is drivingly connected to the hook assembly 20 or the first driving assembly 30, and is configured to drive the hook assembly 20 to move in the third direction dr3 or in the direction opposite to the third direction dr3 such that the hook assembly 20 extends or retracts with respect to the conveying surface of the conveying assembly 50.

[0097] The conveying assembly 50 may be a carrier roller, a belt, or other structural forms capable of performing conveying. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the conveying assembly 50 is two conveyor belts arranged side by side. In addition to the function of conveying the article GS, the conveying assembly 50 disposed on the upper side of the mounting frame 10 also performs the function of supporting the article GS, and this function includes the function of movably supporting the article GS by the conveying assembly 50 when the hook assembly 20 acts on the article GS. The hook assembly 20 can move in the third direction dr3 or in the direction opposite to the third direction dr3 by the second driving assembly 40 so as to extend or retract with respect to the conveying surface of the conveying assembly 50.

[0098] When the hook assembly 20 extends relative to the conveying surface of the conveying assembly 50, the hook assembly 20 can hook or push the article GS. When the hook assembly 20 retracts relative to the conveying surface of the conveying assembly 50, the article GS can move on the conveying surface without interfering with the hook assembly 20. In addition, the second drive assembly 40 can cooperate with the first drive assembly 30 such that the hook assembly 20 moves below the conveying surface of the conveying assembly 50 to adjust the position of the hook assembly when the hook assembly extends.

[0099] FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the mounting structure of the bracket and the third drive assembly in an embodiment of the pallet fork mechanism according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 14, in some embodiments, the pallet fork mechanism FM further includes a bracket 60. The mounting frame 10 is fixed on the bracket 60 and provided detachably or movably. The bracket 60 can be provided movably relative to the second rail TR2 in an embodiment of the article storage drawer device. In FIG. 14, the bracket 60 can include two L-shaped vertical plates 61 and at least one lateral plate 62 connecting the two L-shaped vertical plates 61 and disposed between the two L-shaped vertical plates 61. In FIG. 14, the two lateral plates 62 are spaced apart in the first direction dr1.

[0100] The mounting frame 10 can be fixedly connected to the bracket 60 (including the case where they are integrally formed) so as to be able to move in synchronization with the movement of the bracket 60. The mounting frame 10 can also be separable from the bracket 60 so that the mounting frame 10 and the structure thereon can be separated together from the bracket 60 for easy maintenance and replacement. The mounting frame 10 can also be moved relative to the bracket 60 to a position at a predetermined distance from the warehouse rack when the bracket 60 is operating, in order to avoid interference with the warehouse rack when the pallet fork mechanism FM is operating, and also to reduce the docking gap and to reduce the risk that the article will become immobile or fall during the acquisition or placement process, so that the mounting frame can be moved to a position adjacent to the warehouse rack when it is necessary to acquire or place the article.

[0101] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 14, in some embodiments, the pallet fork mechanism FM further includes a third drive assembly 70. The third drive assembly 70 is provided on the bracket 60 and is drivingly connected to the mounting frame 10 and is configured to drive the mounting frame 10 to move relative to the bracket 60 in a first direction dr1 or in a direction opposite to the first direction dr1.

[0102] The mounting frame 10 can be driven by the third drive assembly 70 to move in the first direction dr1 or in a direction opposite to the first direction dr1. In this way, the position of the mounting frame 10 can be adjusted in the same direction or in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the article GS to facilitate the transfer of the article GS between the article position and the pallet fork mechanism.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 14, in some embodiments, the third drive assembly 70 further includes a third power element 71. The third power element 71 is connected to both the mounting frame 10 and the bracket 60 and is configured to drive the mounting frame 10 to move relative to the bracket 60.

[0104] The third power element 71 can include an electric motor or a pneumatic motor, and drives the mounting frame 10 so that the mounting frame 10 moves in a first direction dr1 or in a direction opposite to the first direction dr1 with respect to the bracket 60.

[0105] In FIG. 14, the third power element 71 can include a second through-shaft screw motor. The second through-shaft screw motor has a second electric motor housing 711 fixedly connected to the bracket 60 and a second parent screw 712 extending through the second electric motor housing 711. Both ends of the second parent screw 712 are connected to the mounting frame 10.

[0106] When the second through-shaft screw motor rotates in the forward direction or the reverse direction, the second parent screw 712 can move forward or backward in the extending direction of the second parent screw 712. By fixedly connecting the second electric motor housing 711 of the second through-shaft screw motor to the lateral plate 62 of the bracket 60 and connecting both ends of the second parent screw 712 to the mounting frame 10, the mounting frame 10 can be translated on the bracket 60 when the second parent screw 712 moves relative to the second electric motor housing 711. The extending direction of the second parent screw 712 is parallel to the first direction dr1.

[0107] To enable the mounting frame 10 to move stably in a first direction dr1 or in a direction opposite to the first direction dr1 with respect to the bracket 60, referring to FIGS. 11 and 14, in some embodiments, the third drive assembly 70 further includes a third linear guide structure 72. The third linear guide structure 72 is provided between the bracket 60 and the mounting frame 10 and is configured to guide the movement of the mounting frame 10 with respect to the bracket 60 in a first direction dr1 or in a direction opposite to the first direction dr1.

[0108] In FIGS. 11 and 14, the third linear guide structure 72 includes a third sliding rail 721 and a third sliding block 722. The third sliding rail 721 is provided on the mounting frame 10 and extends in the first direction dr1. The third sliding block 722 is provided on the bracket 60 so as to slidably fit with the third sliding rail 721. A plurality of third sliding blocks 722 may be provided and dispersed on at least two lateral plates 62. The third sliding rail 721 may be provided on the bottom surface of the mounting frame 10.

[0109] A continuous sliding guide effect can be obtained between the third sliding rail 721 and the third sliding block 722 so that the movement of the mounting frame 10 relative to the bracket 60 is smoother and more stable. In other embodiments, the third linear guide structure 72 may be of other structural forms, such as a guide structure in which a simple shaft engages with a sleeve.

[0110] In the above embodiments, the hook assembly 20 can include a bracket 22 and at least one set of hook bodies 21 connected to the bracket 22. Each set of hook bodies 21 includes a single hook 21 or a plurality of hook bodies 21 arranged on the same side of the bracket 22. The configuration of the hook bodies 21 can implement the storage of articles on a single side or different sides.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 12, in some embodiments, at least one set of hook bodies 21 includes a first set of hook bodies 21a and a second set of hook bodies 21b. The first set of hook bodies 21a is disposed on the side of the bracket 22 that is far from the second set of hook bodies 21b in the first direction dr1, and the second set of hook bodies 21b is disposed on the side of the bracket 22 that is far from the first set of hook bodies 21a in the second direction dr2. In FIG. 12, the first set of hook bodies 21a includes two hook bodies 21a spaced apart in the fourth direction dr4, and the second set of hook bodies 21b includes two hook bodies 21b spaced apart in the fourth direction dr4. Here, the fourth direction dr4 is perpendicular to the third direction dr3 and perpendicular to the first direction dr1 or the second direction dr2.

[0112] The first drive assembly 30 can drive the hook assembly 20 to move in the first direction dr1 in order to realize the function of hooking and pulling the article GS in the first direction dr1 by the hooking and pulling portion 211 of the first set of hook bodies 21a, or in order to realize the function of pushing the article GS in the first direction dr1 by the pushing portion 212 of the second set of hook bodies 21b.

[0113] The first drive assembly 30 can also drive the hook assembly 20 to move in the second direction dr2 in order to realize the function of pushing the article GS in the second direction dr2 by the pushing portion 212 of the first set of hook bodies 21a, or in order to realize the function of hooking and pulling the article GS in the second direction dr2 by the hooking and pulling portion 211 of the second set of hook bodies 21b.

[0114] In an embodiment where the first direction dr1 is opposite to the second direction dr2, the first drive assembly 30 can drive the hook assembly 20 to move in the first direction dr1, can also drive the hook assembly to move in a direction opposite to the first direction dr1, and can also realize the function of hooking and pulling an article GS in the moving direction of the hook assembly 20, or the function of pushing the article GS in the moving direction of the hook assembly 20. Thereby, the pallet fork mechanism can perform the operations of storing and retrieving articles on different sides between adjacent warehouse racks.

[0115] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the rotation for the shape of a single set of hook bodies in an embodiment of the pallet fork mechanism according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 15, in some embodiments, at least one set of the hook bodies 21 includes a single set of the hook bodies 21. Therefore, the first drive assembly 30 can drive the hook assembly 20 to move in the first direction dr1 in order to realize the function of hooking and pulling an article GS in the first direction dr1 by the hooking and pulling portion 211 of a single set of the hook bodies 21 at the first rotational position, or in order to realize the function of pushing the article GS in the first direction dr1 by the pushing portion 212 of a single set of the hook bodies 21 at the second rotational position. Here, a single set of the hook bodies 21 travels back and forth between the first rotational position and the second rotational position by rotating, and a single set of the hook bodies 21 at the first rotational position and a single set of the hook bodies 21 at the second rotational position are centrosymmetric.

[0116] The first drive assembly 30 can also drive the hook assembly 20 to move in the second direction dr2 in order to realize the function of pushing the article GS in the second direction dr2 by a single set of pushing portions 212 of the hook body 21 in the third rotational position, or in order to realize the function of hooking and pulling the article GS in the second direction dr2 by a single set of hooking and pulling portions 211 of the hook body 21 in the fourth rotational position. Here, a single set of the hook bodies 21 travels back and forth between the third rotational position and the fourth rotational position by rotating, and a single set of the hook bodies 21 in the third rotational position and a single set of the hook bodies 21 in the fourth rotational position are centrosymmetric.

[0117] In FIG. 15, the solid line form of the hook body 21 shows a situation where a single set of the hook bodies 21 is in the rotational position on the left side of the bracket 22, and in this rotational position, it is possible to hook and pull the article GS on the left side or push the article GS on the left side. After a 180° rotation, a single set of the hook bodies 21 is arranged at the rotational position on the right side of the bracket 22 as shown by the dashed line form, and in this rotational position, it is possible to hook and pull the article GS on the right side or push the article GS on the right side.

[0118] In the above embodiment, the hooking and pulling portion 211 can enter and exit the hooking and pulling possible portion HP of the article GS in a direction intersecting both the first direction dr1 and the second direction dr2. Here, the direction in which the hooking and pulling portion 211 enters the hooking and pulling possible portion HP can be perpendicular to the first direction dr1 or the second direction dr2, or can be an acute angle or an obtuse angle with respect to the first direction dr1 and the second direction dr2.

[0119] In FIGS. 7 and 8, the direction in which the hooking and pulling portion 211 enters the hooking and pulling enable portion HP of the article GS is the third direction dr3, and the direction in which the hooking and pulling portion 211 leaves the hooking and pulling enable portion HP is the direction opposite to the third direction dr3. That is, in some embodiments, the hooking and pulling portion 211 is configured to enter the hooking and pulling enable portion HP of the article GS in the vertically upward direction. In this way, the hooking and pulling portion can enter the hooking and pulling enable portion HP when the hook assembly 20 extends upward with respect to the conveying surface of the conveying assembly 50, and the hooking and pulling portion can leave the hooking and pulling enable portion HP when the hook assembly retreats downward with respect to the conveying surface of the conveying assembly 50, which leads to simplifying the operation and enhancing the efficiency.

[0120] FIGS. 16 and 17 are schematic views of the entry of the hooking and pulling enable portion of an article in different directions in an embodiment of the pallet fork mechanism according to the present disclosure. FIG. 16 shows that two opposing hooking and pulling portions 211 of the hook body 21 enter the hooking and pulling enable portion HP of the article GS in the fourth direction dr4 and the direction opposite to the fourth direction dr4. Here, the fourth direction dr4 is perpendicular to the third direction dr3 and is also perpendicular to the first direction dr1 or the second direction dr2.

[0121] FIG. 17 shows the situation where the hooking and pulling portion 211 of the hook body 21 enters the hooking and pulling enable portion HP of the article GS in the direction opposite to the third direction dr3. Here, the third direction dr3 can be the vertically upward direction.

[0122] Figures 18 and 19 are schematic diagrams showing different relative positions between a pair of conveying members and a hook assembly in an embodiment of a pallet fork mechanism according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 18, in some embodiments, the conveying assembly 50 includes a pair of spaced-apart conveying members 51 and a conveying drive element 52 for driving and operating the pair of conveying members 51, and the hook assembly 20 is disposed between the pair of conveying members 51. In this way, the hook assembly 20 operates between the pair of conveying members 51 without interfering with the operation of the pair of conveying members 51.

[0123] Referring to FIG. 19, in other embodiments, the conveying assembly 50 includes a pair of spaced-apart conveying members 51 and a conveying drive element 52 for driving and operating the pair of conveying members 51, and the hook assembly 20 is disposed on the side far from the other conveying member 51 of at least one of the pair of conveying members 51. For example, two hook assemblies 20 are respectively disposed on two sides of the pair of conveying members 51 shown in FIG. 19 in the fourth direction dr4.

[0124] In the above embodiments, in order to improve the stability of the operation, referring to FIG. 4, a plurality of hook bodies included in each set of hook bodies included in the hook assembly may be spaced apart in the fourth direction dr4 in pairs of two, and the combination of the transmission wheel set and the transmission belt included in the first drive assembly may be spaced apart in the fourth direction dr4 in pairs of two, and the conveying members included in the conveying assembly may also be spaced apart in the fourth direction dr4 in pairs of two, and the sliding rails and sliding blocks included in the first, second, and third linear guide structures may also be spaced apart in the fourth direction dr4 in pairs of two, but are not described in this specification.

[0125] Figure 20 shows, in each of (a) - (d), a three - dimensional schematic view of hooking and pulling an article in a first direction and pushing the article in the first direction, and hooking and pulling an article in a second direction and pushing the article in the second direction. In order to facilitate the understanding of the functions of hooking and pulling an article and pushing an article in an embodiment of the pallet fork mechanism of the present disclosure, several situations are shown respectively by (a) - (d) in FIG. 20.

[0126] In FIG. 20(a), the pallet fork mechanism performs a hooking and pulling operation on an article GS arranged on the left side of the pallet fork mechanism. At this time, the first set of hook bodies 21a of the hook assembly enters the hooking - and - pulling - enabled part of the article GS, and the article GS is moved in the first direction dr1 under the drive of the first drive assembly 30 so as to reach above the transport mechanism 50.

[0127] In FIG. 20(b), the pallet fork mechanism performs a pushing operation on an article GS arranged on the left side of the pallet fork mechanism. At this time, the first set of hook bodies 21a of the hook assembly pushes outside the hooking - and - pulling - enabled part of the article GS, and the article GS is moved in the second direction dr2 under the drive of the first drive assembly 30 so as to move away from the transfer mechanism 50.

[0128] In FIG. 20(c), the pallet fork mechanism performs a hooking and pulling operation on an article GS arranged on the right side of the pallet fork mechanism. At this time, the second set of hook bodies 21b of the hook assembly enters the hooking - and - pulling - enabled part of the article GS, and the article GS is moved in the second direction dr2 under the drive of the first drive assembly 30 so as to reach above the transport mechanism 50.

[0129] In Fig. 20(d), the pallet fork mechanism pushes the article GS disposed on the right side of the pallet fork mechanism, and at this time, the second set of the hook bodies 21b of the hook assembly presses the outside of the hookable and pullable portion of the article GS, and the article GS is moved in the first direction dr1 under the drive of the first drive assembly 30 so as to move away from the transfer mechanism 50.

[0130] Fig. 21 shows a schematic diagram of the process of transferring an article at an article position to the pallet fork mechanism in an embodiment of the pallet fork mechanism according to the present disclosure, respectively in (a) to (f). To facilitate understanding of how the article GS at the article position in the warehouse rack SR is transferred to the pallet fork mechanism in the embodiment of the pallet fork mechanism of the present disclosure, the process is shown by (a) to (f) in Fig. 21.

[0131] In Fig. 21(a), the pallet fork mechanism moves to a position adjacent to the article position of the article GS to be picked up, and at this time, the transfer surface of the transfer mechanism 50 is substantially in the same plane as the bottom surface of the article position. At that time, the hook assembly 20 is located under the transfer surface of the transfer mechanism 50 and moves toward the article GS.

[0132] In Fig. 21(b), the hook assembly 20 has moved to a position adjacent to the article GS, and at this position, the hook assembly 20 is substantially aligned laterally with the hook slot on the right surface of the article GS. The hook assembly 20 translates upward, and a part of the hook assembly 20 is exposed above the transfer surface of the transfer mechanism 50.

[0133] In Fig. 21(c), the hook assembly 20 continues to translate upward, and the hooking and pulling portion enters the hook slot of the article GS.

[0134] In Fig. 21(d), the hook assembly 20 is moved to the right, and the article GS is similarly moved to the right so that a portion of the article GS reaches above the conveying mechanism 50. The hook assembly 20 can move from the left end of the stroke of the pallet fork mechanism to the right end of the stroke of the pallet fork mechanism. At that time, a portion of the article GS has not yet reached above the conveying mechanism 50.

[0135] In Fig. 21(e), the hook assembly 20 moves downward and retracts below the conveying surface of the conveying mechanism 50. At this time, the conveying mechanism 50 further conveys the article GS to the right.

[0136] In Fig. 21(f), the article GS is completely positioned on the conveying mechanism 50 by the conveying operation of the conveying mechanism 50. Therefore, the operation of pulling out the article from the warehouse rack is completed.

[0137] Fig. 22 shows, in (a) - (e) respectively, a schematic diagram of the process of transferring an article on the pallet fork mechanism to the article position in an embodiment of the pallet fork mechanism according to the present disclosure. To facilitate understanding of how the article GS on the pallet fork mechanism in the embodiment of the pallet fork mechanism of the present disclosure is transferred to the article position in the warehouse rack SR, the process is shown by (a) - (e) in Fig. 22.

[0138] In Fig. 22(a), the pallet fork mechanism moves to a position adjacent to the article position where the article GS is stored. At this time, the conveying surface of the conveying mechanism 50 is substantially in the same plane as the bottom surface of the article position. At that time, the hook assembly 20 is located below the conveying surface of the conveying mechanism 50.

[0139] In Fig. 22(b), the article GS is conveyed to the right by the conveying operation of the conveying mechanism 50 so that a portion of the article GS enters the article position.

[0140] In FIG. 22(c), the hook assembly 20 has moved to the left side of the article GS and has also moved upward into the space left on the left side after the article GS has moved to the right. At this time, the hook assembly 20 is exposed above the conveying surface of the conveying mechanism 50, and the hooking and pulling portion enters the hooking slot on the left side surface of the article GS.

[0141] In FIG. 22(d), the hook assembly 20 moves to the right and similarly pushes the article GS to the right so that the article GS completely enters the article position.

[0142] In FIG. 22(e), the hook assembly 20 retreats downward to the initial position below the conveying surface of the conveying mechanism 50, and thus the operation of storing the article in the warehouse rack is completed.

[0143] Now, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail. To avoid obscuring the concept of the present disclosure, some details known in the art are not described. Based on the above description, those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed in this specification.

[0144] Although some specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail through examples, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments can be modified or some technical features can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0145] 10 Mounting Frame 20 Hook Assembly 21 Hook Body 21a Hook Body 21b Hook Body 22 Bracket 30 First Driving Assembly 31 Hook seat 32 First power element 33 First linear transmission structure 34 First linear guide structure 40 Second drive assembly 41 Second power element 42 Second linear guide structure 50 Conveying assembly, conveying mechanism, transfer mechanism 51 Conveying member 52 Conveying drive element 60 Bracket 61 L-shaped vertical plate 62 Horizontal plate 70 Third drive assembly 71 Third power element 72 Third linear guide structure 211 Hanging and pulling part 212 Pushing part 331 Transmission wheel set 332 Transmission belt 341 First sliding rail 342 First sliding block 411 First electric motor housing 412 First lead screw 421 Second sliding rail 422 Second sliding block 711 Second electric motor housing 712 Second lead screw 721 Third sliding rail 722 Third sliding block dr1 First direction dr2 Second direction dr3 Third direction F Force FM Pallet fork mechanism GS Goods HP Hanging and pulling possible part SR Warehouse rack TM Moving mechanism TR1 First track TR2 Second track, second rail TV Transfer vehicle

Claims

1. A mounting frame (10), A hook assembly (20) provided movably on the mounting frame (10) and comprising a hook body (21) having a hooking and pulling portion (211) for hooking and pulling an article (GS), A first drive assembly (30) drivingly connected to the hook assembly (20) and configured to drive the hook assembly (20) to move in the first direction (dr1) in order to realize the function of hooking and pulling the article (GS) in the first direction (dr1) by the hooking and pulling portion (211), A pallet fork mechanism (FM) comprising the above components.

2. The hook body (21) further has a pushing portion (212) for pushing the article (GS), and the first drive assembly (30) is further configured to drive the hook assembly (20) to move in the second direction (dr2) in order to realize the function of pushing the article (GS) in the second direction (dr2) by the pushing portion (212). The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to Claim 1.

3. The hooking and pulling portion (211) and the pushing portion (212) are arranged on two opposite sides of the hook body (21) in the first direction (dr1), and the second direction (dr2) is opposite to the first direction (dr1). The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to Claim 2.

4. The hook assembly (20) comprises a bracket (22) and at least one set of hook bodies (21) connected to the bracket (22). Each set of hook bodies (21) comprises a single hook body (21) or a plurality of hook bodies (21) arranged on the same side of the bracket (22). The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to Claim 2.

5. The at least one set of hook bodies (21) includes a first set of hook bodies (21a) and a second set of hook bodies (21b). The first set of hook bodies (21a) is arranged on the side of the bracket (22) farther from the second set of hook bodies (21b) in the first direction (dr1), and the second set of hook bodies (21b) is arranged on the side of the bracket (22) farther from the first set of hook bodies (21a) in the second direction (dr2). The first drive assembly (30) is, To realize the function of hooking and pulling the article (GS) in the first direction (dr1) by the first set of hooking and pulling portions (211) of the hook body (21a), or to realize the function of pushing the article (GS) in the first direction (dr1) by the second set of pushing portions (212) of the hook body (21b), the hook assembly (20) is driven to move in the first direction (dr1), and / or To realize the function of pushing the article (GS) in the second direction (dr2) by the first set of pushing portions (212) of the hook body (21a), or to realize the function of hooking and pulling the article (GS) in the second direction (dr2) by the second set of hooking and pulling portions (211) of the hook body (21b), the hook assembly (20) is driven to move in the second direction (dr2) The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 4, which is configured as such.

6. The at least one set of hook bodies (21) includes a single set of hook bodies (21). The first drive assembly (30) is configured to drive the hook assembly (20) to move in the first direction (dr1) to realize the function of hooking and pulling the article (GS) in the first direction (dr1) by the single set of hooking and pulling portions (211) of the hook body (21) at the first rotational position, or to realize the function of pushing the article (GS) in the first direction (dr1) by the single set of pushing portions (212) of the hook body (21) at the second rotational position. The single set of hook bodies (21) moves back and forth between the first rotational position and the second rotational position by rotating, and the single set of hook bodies (21) at the first rotational position and the single set of hook bodies (21) at the second rotational position are centrosymmetric, and / or the first drive assembly (30) is To realize the function of pushing the article (GS) in the second direction (dr2) by a single set of pushing portions (212) of the hook body (21) at the third rotational position, or to realize the function of hooking and pulling the article (GS) in the second direction (dr2) by a single set of hooking and pulling portions (211) of the hook body (21) at the fourth rotational position, the hook assembly (20) is configured to be driven to move in the second direction (dr2). A single set of the hook bodies (21) reciprocates between the third rotational position and the fourth rotational position by rotation, and a single set of the hook bodies (21) at the third rotational position and a single set of the hook bodies (21) at the fourth rotational position are centrosymmetric. The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 4.

7. The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 2, wherein the hooking and pulling portion (211) is configured to enter and exit a hooking and pulling capable portion (HP) of the article (GS) in a direction intersecting both the first direction (dr1) and the second direction (dr2).

8. The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 7, wherein the hooking and pulling portion (211) is configured to enter the hooking and pulling capable portion (HP) of the article (GS) in a vertically upward direction.

9. The first drive assembly (30) a hook seat (31) connected to the hook assembly (20), a first power element (32) connected to the hook seat (31) by a first linear transmission structure (33) and configured to drive the hook seat (31) by the first linear transmission structure (33) to move in the first direction (dr1) or the second direction (dr2), The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 2, comprising.

10. The first linear transmission structure (33) a transmission wheel set (331) provided on the mounting frame (10) and connected to the first power element (32), a transmission belt (332) wound around the transmission wheel set (331) and fixedly connected to the hook seat (31), The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 9, comprising.

11. The first drive assembly (30) A first linear guide structure (34) provided between the hook seat (31) and the mounting frame (10) and configured to guide the movement of the hook seat (31) relative to the mounting frame (10) in the first direction (dr1) or the second direction (dr2). The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 9, further comprising the same.

12. The first linear guide structure (34) is A first sliding rail (341) provided on the mounting frame (10) and extending in the first direction (dr1), and A first sliding block (342) provided on the hook seat (31) so as to slidably fit with the first sliding rail (341). The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 11, further comprising the same.

13. A second drive assembly (40) drivingly connected to the hook assembly (20) and configured to drive the hook assembly (20) to move in a third direction (dr3) or in a direction opposite to the third direction (dr3). Further comprising The third direction (dr3) is perpendicular to the first direction (dr1). The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 1.

14. The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 13, wherein the first direction (dr1) is parallel to the horizontal plane and the third direction (dr3) is parallel to the vertical direction.

15. The first drive assembly (30) includes a hook seat (31) connected to the hook assembly (20), and the second drive assembly (40) is A second power element (41) connected to at least one of the hook seat (31) and the hook assembly (20) and configured to drive the hook assembly (20) to move relative to the hook seat (31). The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 13, further comprising the same.

16. The second power element (41) is A first through-shaft screw motor having a first electric motor housing (411) fixedly connected to the hook seat (31) and a first parent screw (412) extending through the first electric motor housing (411), wherein one end of the first parent screw (412) is connected to the hook assembly (20) and the other end of the first parent screw (412) extends through the hook seat (31). The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 15, comprising

17. wherein the second drive assembly (40) is provided between the hook seat (31) and the hook assembly (20) and is configured to guide the movement of the hook assembly (20) relative to the hook seat (31) in the third direction (dr3) or in the direction opposite to the third direction (dr3); a second linear guide structure (42) The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 15, further comprising

18. wherein the second linear guide structure (42) is provided on the hook assembly (20) and includes a second sliding rail (421) extending in the third direction (dr3); and a second sliding block (422) provided on the hook seat (31) so as to be slidably fitted with the second sliding rail (421); The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 17, comprising

19. a conveying assembly (50) provided on the mounting frame (10) and configured to convey an article (GS) in the first direction (dr1) or the second direction (dr2); The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 2, further comprising

20. The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 19, wherein time ranges during which the conveying assembly (50) and the hook assembly (20) act on the article (GS) respectively are configured not to overlap.

21. The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 19, wherein time ranges during which the conveying assembly (50) and the hook assembly (20) act on the article (GS) respectively are configured to at least partially overlap.

22. wherein the conveying assembly (50) is disposed above the mounting frame (10), and the pallet fork mechanism (FM) is drivingly connected to the hook assembly (20) or the first drive assembly (30), and a second drive assembly (40) configured to drive the hook assembly (20) to move in the third direction (dr3) or in the direction opposite to the third direction (dr3) such that the hook assembly (20) extends or retracts with respect to the conveying surface of the conveying assembly (50); The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 19, further comprising

23. The transfer assembly body (50) includes a pair of transfer members (51) arranged at a distance from each other and a transfer drive element (52) for driving and operating the pair of transfer members (51), and the hook assembly body (20) is arranged between the pair of transfer members (51) or on a side farther from the other transfer member of at least one of the pair of transfer members (51). The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 19.

24. Bracket (60) further includes the mounting frame (10) is fixed on the bracket (60) and provided separably or movably. The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 1.

25. A third drive assembly body (70) provided on the bracket (60), drivingly connected to the mounting frame (10), and configured to drive the mounting frame (10) to move in the first direction (dr1) or in the direction opposite to the first direction (dr1) with respect to the bracket (60). The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 24, further comprising.

26. The third drive assembly body (70) includes a third power element (71) connected to the mounting frame (10) and configured to drive the mounting frame (10) to move with respect to the bracket (60). The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 25, further comprising.

27. The third power element (71) is a second through-shaft screw motor having a second electric motor housing (711) fixed and connected to the bracket (60) and a second parent screw (712) extending through the second electric motor housing (711), and both ends of the second parent screw (712) are connected to the mounting frame (10). The second through-shaft screw motor. The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 26, further comprising.

28. The third drive assembly body (70) further includes a third linear guide structure (72) provided between the bracket (60) and the mounting frame (10) and configured to guide the movement of the mounting frame (10) with respect to the bracket (60) in the first direction (dr1) or in the direction opposite to the first direction (dr1). The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 26, further comprising.

29. the third linear guide structure (72) is a third sliding rail (721) provided on the mounting frame (10) and extending in the first direction (dr1); a third sliding block (722) provided on the bracket (60) and slidably cooperating with the third sliding rail (721); The pallet fork mechanism (FM) according to claim 28, comprising:

30. An article storage and retrieval device comprising the pallet fork mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 29.

31. at least two first tracks (TR1) spaced apart in at least one direction; at least two second tracks (TR2) movably provided along the at least two first tracks (TR1) by a moving mechanism (TM); further comprising: the pallet fork mechanism (FM) is movably provided along the at least two second tracks (TR2); The article storage and retrieval device according to claim 30.

32. a warehouse rack (SR); the article storage and retrieval device according to claim 30 provided on the warehouse rack (SR); A warehouse logistics management system comprising:

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