Warehouse Shuttle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a warehouse shuttle. The warehouse shuttle includes a vehicle body, a first arm attached to the vehicle body, a second arm attached to the vehicle body and spaced apart from the first arm, a first support member disposed between the first arm and the second arm and supporting an article between the first arm and the second arm, a first flexible drive unit including a first flexible transmission member connected to the second arm to move the second arm relative to the first arm, and a second flexible drive unit including a second flexible transmission member connected to the first support member to move the first support member relative to the first arm. By adopting the technical solution of the present disclosure, both the second arm and the first support member are driven by the flexible drive unit, thereby eliminating the problems of numerous connection points and a complex structure caused by connecting an intermediate support plate to the arm with a link mechanism in the prior art.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This disclosure is based on and claims priority from Chinese Patent Application No. 202010612746.3, filed on June 30, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to the field of logistics equipment, and in particular to warehouse shuttles. [Background technology]

[0003] The article-to-person system in a multi-seat multi-level warehouse, or "multiple shuttle system," is a small-package article-to-person system independently developed to handle e-commerce logistics. Compared with traditional warehouses, this system significantly improves personnel and area efficiency and is an important part of the article-to-person picking mode. Multi-seat shuttles include fixed-pitch shuttles and variable-pitch shuttles. Fixed-pitch shuttles can only be used to store and retrieve fixed-size articles. Variable-pitch shuttles can adjust the space between their arms, allowing them to store and retrieve articles of various sizes and are generally used to store and retrieve articles in unique packages. If the width and weight of a unique package is too large, the bottom of the package is likely to sink when the passage is pulled into or pushed out of the shuttle, causing frequent wear and tear on the bottom of the package, the package intermediate support plates at both ends of the shuttle's loading area, and the rails along which the shuttle moves, resulting in damage to the bottom of the package.

[0004] FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a related art variable-pitch shuttle. The variable-pitch shuttle includes a fixed arm 1, a moving arm 2 spaced apart from the fixed arm 1, and an intermediate support plate 3 disposed between the fixed arm 1 and the moving arm 2. The intermediate support plate 3 is used to support the middle portion of the package. The variable-pitch shuttle further includes a threaded rod connected to the fixed arm 1 and a threaded sleeve threadably engaged with the threaded rod. The threaded sleeve is connected to the moving arm 2, and during rotation of the threaded rod, the threaded sleeve moves along the threaded rod, thereby moving the moving arm 2 relative to the fixed arm 1. Using a symmetrically arranged link mechanism 4 on the vehicle body, the intermediate support plate 3 and the moving arm 2 move together, and their movement distances remain in a 1:2 relationship. As a result, the intermediate support plate 3 is always positioned midway between the moving arm 2 and the fixed arm 1 to support the middle portion of the package, thereby avoiding wear and damage to the middle portion of the package due to sinking.

[0005] The variable pitch shuttle further includes a first support plate 5 connected to the fixed arm 1 and a second support plate 6 connected to the moving arm 2. The first support plate 5 and the second support plate 6 are both used to carry packages. A linkage 4 connects the first support plate 5, the second support plate 6 and the intermediate support plate 3 together.

[0006] During the movement of the moving arm 2, since the screw rod is located on one side of the vehicle body, the stress on the moving arm 2 is not uniform, and the transmission is not smooth when the moving arm 2 is moved, which makes it easy for jamming to occur when the moving arm 2 moves on the guide shafts on both sides, resulting in the phenomenon of bouncing. In addition, since the intermediate support plate is connected to the arm by the link mechanism 4, there are too many connection points in the structure, making the structure complicated and generating loud noise. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide a warehouse shuttle that overcomes the problems of numerous connection points and complex structures caused by connecting an intermediate support plate to an arm by a link mechanism in the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a warehouse shuttle comprising: The vehicle body, a first arm attached to the vehicle body; a second arm attached to the vehicle body and spaced apart from the first arm; a first support member disposed between the first arm and the second arm and configured to support an article between the first arm and the second arm; a first flexible drive including a first flexible transmission member coupled to the second arm to move the second arm relative to the first arm; a second flexible drive including a second flexible transmission member coupled to the first carrier member to move the first carrier member relative to the first arm; A warehouse shuttle will be provided, including:

[0009] In some embodiments, the first flexible drive unit further includes a first driving wheel attached to a side of the vehicle body adjacent to the first arm and a first driven wheel attached to a side of the vehicle body adjacent to the second arm, and the first flexible transmission member is wrapped around the first driving wheel and the first driven wheel; The second flexible drive unit further includes a second drive wheel attached to a side of the vehicle body adjacent to the first arm and a second driven wheel attached to a side of the vehicle body adjacent to the second arm, and a second flexible transmission member is wrapped around the second drive wheel and the second driven wheel.

[0010] In some embodiments, the warehouse shuttle further includes a rotating shaft, the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel are both attached to the rotating shaft, and the diameter ratio of the first drive wheel to the second drive wheel is 2:1.

[0011] In some embodiments, the vehicle body comprises: a first box disposed on a side of the first arm away from the second arm, the first box having a rotating shaft disposed therein, and a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel attached to the rotating shaft; a second box disposed on a side of the second arm away from the first arm, and having the first driven wheel and the second driven wheel attached thereto; and Includes:

[0012] In some embodiments, two first flexible drives are positioned symmetrically on either side of the centerline of the warehouse shuttle.

[0013] In some embodiments, two second flexible drives are positioned symmetrically on either side of the centerline of the warehouse shuttle.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first flexible power transmission member comprises a power transmission belt; and / or The second flexible power transmission member includes a power transmission belt.

[0015] In some embodiments, the warehouse shuttle: a second carrier member coupled to the first arm to carry an article between the first arm and the second arm; a third carrier member coupled to the second arm to carry an article between the first arm and the second arm; and Further includes:

[0016] In some embodiments, The first arm includes a first arm body connected to the first flexible transmission member, and a first moving member movable relative to the first arm body so as to extend to an outside of the vehicle body; The second arm includes a second arm body connected to the second flexible transmission member, and a second moving member movable relative to the second arm body so as to extend to the outside of the vehicle body.

[0017] In some embodiments, the warehouse shuttle: a first shifting arm rotatably attached to the first moving member such that the first shifting arm switches between a first position in which the first shifting arm is parallel to the first moving member and a second position in which the first shifting arm is perpendicular to the first moving member; a second shifting arm rotatably attached to the second moving member such that the second shifting arm switches between a first position in which the second shifting arm is parallel to the second moving member and a second position in which the second shifting arm is perpendicular to the second moving member; Further includes:

[0018] By adopting the technical solution of the present disclosure, both the second arm and the first supporting member are driven by a flexible drive unit, thereby improving the problems of many connection points and complicated structure caused by connecting the intermediate support plate to the arm by a link mechanism in the prior art.

[0019] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] The drawings as part of this disclosure are used to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and their descriptions are used for the purpose of explaining the present disclosure and do not unduly limit the present disclosure. The drawings are as follows: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a variable pitch shuttle according to the related art. [Figure 2] 1 is a structural diagram of a warehouse shuttle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an internal structural view of a warehouse shuttle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of a first flexible drive unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of a second flexible drive unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional structural view of a warehouse shuttle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in a first position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of A in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional structural view of a warehouse shuttle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in a second position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of B in FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Of course, the described embodiments are only a part, not all, of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and does not serve as a limitation on the present disclosure and its application or use. All other embodiments made by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without creative work shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of the warehouse shuttle of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of the interior of the warehouse shuttle of this embodiment.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the warehouse shuttle includes a vehicle body, a first arm 23, a second arm 8, a first support member 7, a first flexible drive unit 1, and a second flexible drive unit 2.

[0025] The first arm 23 is attached to the vehicle body, the second arm 8 is attached to the vehicle body and spaced apart from the first arm 23, and the first carrying member 7 is positioned between the first arm 23 and the second arm 8 so as to carry an article between the first arm 23 and the second arm 8.

[0026] 4 is a structural diagram of the first flexible drive unit of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the first flexible drive unit 1 includes a first flexible transmission member 12. The first flexible transmission member 12 is connected to the second arm 8 and moves it relative to the first arm 23.

[0027] The first flexible drive unit 1 further includes a first drive wheel 10 attached to the side of the vehicle body adjacent to the first arm 23 and a first driven wheel 11 attached to the side of the vehicle body adjacent to the second arm 8, and the first flexible transmission member 12 is wrapped around the first drive wheel 10 and the first driven wheel 11.

[0028] The first flexible transmission member 12 comprises a first connecting member 14 for connection with the second arm 8 .

[0029] Figure 5 is a structural diagram of the second flexible drive unit of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the second flexible drive unit 2 includes a second flexible transmission member 17. The second flexible transmission member 17 is connected to the first carrier member 7 and moves it relative to the first arm 23.

[0030] The second flexible drive unit 2 further includes a second drive wheel 15 attached to the side of the vehicle body adjacent to the first arm 23 and a second driven wheel 16 attached to the side of the vehicle body adjacent to the second arm 8, and the second flexible transmission member 17 is wrapped around the second drive wheel 15 and the second driven wheel 16.

[0031] The second flexible transmission member 17 comprises a second connecting member 19 for connection with the first carrier member 7 .

[0032] In some embodiments, the first flexible power transmission member 12 comprises a power transmission belt, preferably a synchronous belt. The second flexible power transmission member 17 comprises a power transmission belt, preferably a synchronous belt.

[0033] The warehouse shuttle further includes a rotating shaft 5, on which are mounted both a first drive wheel 10 and a second drive wheel 15. The ratio of diameters of the first drive wheel 10 and the second drive wheel 15 is 2:1.

[0034] Since the first drive wheel 10 and the second drive wheel 15 are attached to the same rotating shaft 5, the angular velocities of the first drive wheel 10 and the second drive wheel 15 are always the same, and when the diameter ratio of the first drive wheel 10 to the second drive wheel 15 is 2 to 1, the ratio of the linear velocities of the first flexible transmission member 12 to the second flexible transmission member 17 is 2 to 1, and therefore the ratio of the movement speeds of the second arm 8 to the first support member 7 is 2 to 1.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first support member 7 is positioned midway between the first arm 23 and the second arm 8. The distance between the first support member 7 and the first arm 23 is equal to the distance between the first support member 7 and the second arm 8.

[0036] Since the ratio of the movement speed between the second arm 8 and the first carrier member 7 is 2:1, the first carrier member 7 can always remain in an intermediate position between the first arm 23 and the second arm 8.

[0037] The vehicle body includes a first box 9 and a second box 20. The first box 9 is disposed on the side of the first arm 23 away from the second arm 8, and houses the rotating shaft 5, as well as a first driving wheel 10 and a second driving wheel 15 attached to the rotating shaft 5, inside the first box 9.

[0038] Further disposed inside the first box 9 is a transmission mechanism 3 that transmits power to the drive motor 4 and the rotating shaft 5. A first driving wheel 10 and a second driving wheel 15 are both attached to the rotating shaft 5, and the rotating shaft 5 is attached inside the first box 9 by a first mounting base 6.

[0039] The second box 20 is arranged on the side of the second arm 8 remote from the first arm 23, and has the first driven wheel 11 and the second driven wheel 16 attached thereto.

[0040] With reference to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the first driven wheel 11 is attached to the second box 20 by the second mounting base 13.

[0041] 5, 8 and 9, the second driven wheel 16 is attached to the second box 20 by the third mounting base 18.

[0042] 2, 3, 6 and 8, in this embodiment the first box 9 and the second box 20 are arranged side by side in the direction of movement of the warehouse shuttle, with the second box 20 being positioned in front of the first box 9 in the direction of movement of the warehouse shuttle.

[0043] In this embodiment, the warehouse shuttle further includes a guide shaft 21. The guide shaft 21 is configured to move and guide the first carrier member 7 and / or the second arm 8 relative to the first arm. Two guide shafts 21 are provided, and the two guide shafts 21 are arranged symmetrically on either side of the center line of the warehouse shuttle.

[0044] The two first flexible drives 1 are arranged symmetrically on either side of the centerline of the warehouse shuttle so that uniform stress is applied to the second arm 8 during movement, thereby smoothing the movement of the second arm 8 relative to the first arm 23 and preventing jamming during movement of the second arm 8.

[0045] The two second flexible drives 2 are arranged symmetrically on either side of the centerline of the warehouse shuttle so that uniform stress is applied to the first carrier member 7 during movement, thereby ensuring smooth movement of the first carrier member 7 relative to the first arm 23 and preventing jamming during movement of the first carrier member 7.

[0046] The warehouse shuttle further includes a second carrying member 22 and a third carrying member 24. The second carrying member 22 is coupled to the first arm 23 so as to carry an article between the first arm 23 and the second arm 8. The second carrying member 22 is disposed inside the first arm 23.

[0047] The third carrying member 24 is coupled to the second arm 8 to carry an article between the first arm 23 and the second arm 8. The third carrying member is disposed inside the second arm 8. The third carrying member 24 moves together with the second arm 8.

[0048] The second carrying member 22 and the third carrying member 24 each carry two ends of the article, and the first carrying member 7 is positioned between the second carrying member 22 and the third carrying member 24 so as to carry the central portion of the article.

[0049] The first arm 23 includes a first arm body connected to the first flexible transmission member 12 and a first moving member that can move relative to the first arm body so as to extend to the outside of the vehicle body.

[0050] The second arm 8 includes a second arm body connected to the second flexible transmission member 17 and a second moving member that can move relative to the second arm body so as to extend to the outside of the vehicle body.

[0051] 8, the warehouse shuttle further includes a first shifting arm 25 and a second shifting arm. The first shifting arm 25 is rotatably attached to the first moving member such that the first shifting arm 25 switches between a first position in which the first shifting arm 25 is parallel to the first moving member and a second position in which the first shifting arm is perpendicular to the first moving member.

[0052] The second shifting arm is rotatably mounted to the second moving member so as to switch between a first position in which the second shifting arm is parallel to the second moving member and a second position in which the second shifting arm is perpendicular to the second moving member.

[0053] When the warehouse shuttle needs to retrieve an item from the warehouse, firstly, both the first shifting arm 25 and the second shifting arm are adjusted to a first position, then the first moving member of the first arm 23 and the second moving member of the second arm 8 are extended to the outside of the vehicle body, and the item is placed between the first moving member and the second moving member, then the first shifting arm 25 and the second shifting arm are adjusted to a second position to hook the item, and finally, the first moving member and the second moving member are retracted to the inside of the vehicle body to move the item toward the vehicle body.

[0054] In this embodiment, two first flexible drive units 1 that drive the second arm 8 to move and two second flexible drive units 2 that drive the first carrier member 7 to move are provided, and the two first flexible drive units 1 and the two second flexible drive units 2 are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the center line of the vehicle body, thereby ensuring that both the second arm 8 and the first carrier member 7 can move smoothly, which leads to the prevention of jamming during movement.

[0055] Furthermore, since the diameter ratio between the first drive wheel 10 and the second drive wheel 15 is 2:1, the travel distance of the second arm 8 is twice that of the first carrier member 7, and the first carrier member 7 can always remain midway between the first arm 23 and the second arm 8, thereby leading to good support of the article placed between the two arms.

[0056] The above are merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to be limiting to the present disclosure, and all modifications, equivalent alternatives and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present disclosure should be encompassed within the protection scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 First flexible drive unit 2 Second flexible drive unit 3 Transmission mechanism 4 Drive motor 5 Rotating shaft 6 First mounting base 7 First carrier member 8 Second Arm 9. Box 1 10 First driving wheel 11 First driven wheel 12 First flexible transmission member 13 Second mounting base 14 First connecting member 15 Second driving wheel 16 Second driven wheel 17 Second flexible transmission member 18 Third Mounting Base 19 Second connecting member 20 Second Box 21 Guide shaft 22 second carrier member 23 First Arm 24 third support member 25 First shifting arm

Claims

1. A vehicle body, a first arm (23) attached to the vehicle body; a second arm (8) attached to the vehicle body and spaced apart from the first arm (23); a first carrying member (7) disposed between the first arm (23) and the second arm (8) and configured to carry an article between the first arm (23) and the second arm (8); a first flexible drive (1) comprising a first flexible transmission member (12) connected to the second arm (8) for moving the second arm (8) relative to the first arm (23); a second flexible drive (2) comprising a second flexible transmission member (17) connected to the first carrier member (7) for moving the first carrier member (7) relative to the first arm (23); 1. A warehouse shuttle comprising: the first flexible drive unit (1) further comprises a first drive wheel (10) attached to a side of the vehicle body adjacent to the first arm (23) and a first driven wheel (11) attached to a side of the vehicle body adjacent to the second arm (8), and the first flexible transmission member (12) is wrapped around the first drive wheel (10) and the first driven wheel (11); the second flexible drive unit (2) further comprises a second driving wheel (15) attached to a side of the vehicle body adjacent to the first arm (23) and a second driven wheel (16) attached to a side of the vehicle body adjacent to the second arm (8), and the second flexible transmission member (17) is wrapped around the second driving wheel (15) and the second driven wheel (16); The warehouse shuttle further comprises a rotating shaft (5), wherein the first drive wheel (10) and the second drive wheel (15) are both attached to the rotating shaft (5), and the diameter ratio of the first drive wheel (10) to the second drive wheel (15) is 2:

1.

2. The vehicle body, a first box (9) disposed on a side of the first arm (23) remote from the second arm (8), and having the rotating shaft (5) and the first driving wheel (10) and the second driving wheel (15) attached to the rotating shaft (5) disposed therein; a second box (20) disposed on the second arm (8) at a side remote from the first arm (23), to which the first driven wheel (11) and the second driven wheel (16) are attached; The warehouse shuttle of claim 1 , comprising:

3. 2. The warehouse shuttle according to claim 1, wherein two first flexible drives (1) are arranged symmetrically on either side of the centerline of the warehouse shuttle.

4. 2. The store-house shuttle according to claim 1, wherein two second flexible drives (2) are arranged symmetrically on either side of the center line of the store-house shuttle.

5. the first flexible transmission member (12) comprises a transmission belt; and / or 2. The warehouse shuttle of claim 1, wherein the second flexible transmission member (17) comprises a transmission belt.

6. a second carrying member (22) connected to the first arm (23) and configured to carry the article between the first arm (23) and the second arm (8); a third carrying member (24) connected to the second arm (8) and configured to carry the article between the first arm (23) and the second arm (8); The warehouse shuttle of claim 1 further comprising:

7. The first arm (23) comprises a first arm body connected to the first flexible transmission member (12), and a first moving member movable relative to the first arm body so as to extend to the outside of the vehicle body; 2. The warehouse shuttle of claim 1, wherein the second arm (8) comprises a second arm body connected to the second flexible transmission member (17) and a second moving member movable relative to the second arm body so as to extend to the outside of the vehicle body.

8. a first shifting arm (25) rotatably attached to the first moving member such that the first shifting arm (25) switches between a first position in which the first shifting arm (25) is parallel to the first moving member and a second position in which the first shifting arm (25) is perpendicular to the first moving member; a second shifting arm rotatably mounted to the second moving member such that the second shifting arm switches between a first position in which the second shifting arm is parallel to the second moving member and a second position in which the second shifting arm is perpendicular to the second moving member; The warehouse shuttle of claim 7 further comprising:

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