Fork-type truck loading system and control method therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fork-type truck loading system and a control method therefor. The fork-type truck loading system comprises: a platform assembly, which is provided with a plurality of tracks in the direction of the length thereof; a plurality of lifting fork assemblies, which are laid on the tracks, each lifting fork assembly comprising an inner fork, an outer fork and a driving member, wherein the outer fork covers the inner fork, the inner fork is provided with a plurality of inclined blocks spaced apart from each other, the outer fork is provided with a plurality of rollers spaced apart from each other, the rollers cooperate with the inclined blocks in such a way that the outer forks are raised and lowered when the outer forks and the inner forks move relative to each other, each driving member is arranged at one end of each inner fork, a pulley assembly is provided at a movable end of each driving member, and the pulley assembly is configured to drive the outer fork to move relative to and along the inner fork, and provide a rolling connection when the outer fork is raised and lowered; and a plurality of chain assemblies, which drive the lifting fork assemblies to extend or retract along the tracks.

Description

A forklift loading system and its control method Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of loading systems, specifically to a forklift loading system and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the logistics industry, the volume of goods transported is constantly increasing, and the requirements for loading and unloading efficiency are also getting higher and higher. Traditional loading and unloading methods can no longer meet the needs of modern logistics. Therefore, loading systems are used to automate loading of goods. A loading system is a system used for automated loading of goods. It is widely used in many industries to improve loading efficiency, reduce labor costs, enhance safety, and realize the automation and intelligence of logistics operations.

[0003] When a loading system is in operation, it needs to perform actions such as lifting and transporting goods. Existing technologies, such as the one disclosed in CN117865018A entitled "A Fork Lifting Mechanism," achieve the lifting function by cooperating with an outer fork and an inner fork, while a limiting mechanism restricts the movement of the outer fork to only upwards. This technical solution has a complex structure, requires an additional limiting mechanism, and the outer fork needs to be equipped with limiting grooves, limiting shafts, and other structures to cooperate with the limiting mechanism. Its complex structure and cumbersome production and assembly process make it difficult to implement.

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to design a forklift loading system and its control method to address the problems existing in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a forklift loading system and its control method, which can effectively solve at least one of the problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] The technical solution of this invention is:

[0007] A forklift loading system, comprising:

[0008] A platform assembly having a plurality of tracks arranged along its length;

[0009] Several lifting fork assemblies are laid on the rails. Each lifting fork assembly includes an inner fork, an outer fork, and a drive unit. The outer fork covers the inner fork. Multiple inclined blocks are spaced between the inner forks, and multiple rollers are spaced between the outer forks. The rollers and inclined blocks cooperate to raise and lower the outer fork when it moves relative to the inner fork. The drive unit is located at one end of the inner fork, and a pulley assembly is provided at the movable end of the drive unit. The pulley assembly is used to drive the outer fork to move relative to the inner fork and to provide a rolling connection when the outer fork is raised and lowered.

[0010] Several chain assemblies are laid along the length of the platform assembly. The chain assemblies are driven by a drive assembly, which in turn drives the lifting fork assembly to extend or retract along the track.

[0011] Furthermore, the pulley assembly includes a fixed seat, a pulley block, and a movable seat. The fixed seat is fixedly connected to the movable end of the driving member. The pulley block is disposed at the rear end of the fixed seat. The movable seat is covered outside the fixed seat. The rear end of the movable seat is provided with a first sliding surface. One end of the movable seat is fixedly connected to one end of the outer fork. When the fixed seat moves with the driving end of the driving member, the movable seat drives the outer fork to move relative to the inner fork. The first sliding surface and the pulley block provide a rolling connection when the outer fork is raised and lowered.

[0012] Furthermore, the inner fork is provided with slide rails on the left and right sides of the movable end of the drive member, and the fixed seat is connected to the slide rails.

[0013] Furthermore, the inclined block includes an inclined surface and a horizontal surface, with the horizontal surface disposed at the top of the inclined surface.

[0014] Furthermore, the pulley assembly is located at the upper rear end of the fixed seat. After the movable seat drives the rollers to climb up the inclined plane and reach the horizontal plane, the inner top surfaces of the pulley assembly and the movable seat provide a rolling connection when the outer fork moves laterally.

[0015] Furthermore, the front end of the movable seat is provided with a second sliding surface, which pushes the movable seat to drive the roller to move from the horizontal plane to the inclined plane.

[0016] Furthermore, the inner fork is provided with multiple rollers on its bottom surface, and the rollers are rotatably connected to the track.

[0017] Furthermore, it includes several lateral lifting assemblies, all of which together support the platform assembly and drive the platform assembly to move laterally or move up and down.

[0018] Furthermore, it includes side shaping devices disposed on the left and right sides of the platform assembly.

[0019] A further method for controlling a forklift loading system is provided. Based on the aforementioned forklift loading system, during the process of the lifting fork assembly raising the outer fork, the chain assembly is controlled to drive the lifting fork assembly to move, thereby counteracting the horizontal displacement component of the outer fork.

[0020] Therefore, the present invention provides the following effects and / or advantages:

[0021] The present invention provides a pulley assembly at the movable end of the drive member. The pulley assembly is used to drive the outer fork to move relative to the inner fork and to provide a rolling connection when the outer fork is raised and lowered. This enables the working mode of laterally pulling the outer fork and raising its height. During the raising of the outer fork, the pulley assembly achieves a low-friction connection between the outer fork and the drive member.

[0022] The pulley assembly of the present invention includes a fixed seat, a pulley block, and a movable seat. The rear end of the movable seat is provided with a first sliding surface. During the lateral movement of the pulley assembly, the pulley assembly abuts against the rear end of the movable seat, thereby pulling the movable seat to move and enabling the movable seat to be lifted along the rotation direction of the pulley block.

[0023] The present invention includes a control method, wherein the control system is used to control the chain assembly to drive the lifting fork assembly to move during the process of the lifting fork assembly raising the outer fork, so as to counteract the horizontal displacement component of the outer fork, thereby reducing the friction between the lifting fork assembly and the pallet, so that the outer fork only moves up and down relative to the platform assembly.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following description, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention are realized and obtained through the structures particularly pointed out in the description and the drawings.

[0025] It should be understood that the above summary and the following detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the lifting fork assembly.

[0028] Figure 3 is an enlarged schematic diagram of part A in Figure 2.

[0029] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the external fork.

[0030] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the horizontal lifting assembly.

[0031] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the side shaping device. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the structure of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0033] Referring to Figures 1-6, a forklift loading system includes:

[0034] Platform assembly 1, wherein a plurality of tracks 101 are provided along its length;

[0035] The platform assembly 1 in this embodiment is used to support and house other components.

[0036] A lifting fork assembly 2, comprising several components, is laid on the track 101. The lifting fork assembly 2 includes an inner fork 201, an outer fork 202, and a drive unit 203. The outer fork 202 covers the inner fork 201. Multiple inclined blocks 2011 are spaced apart on the inner fork 201. Multiple rollers 2021 are spaced apart on the outer fork 202. The rollers 2021 and the inclined blocks 2011 cooperate to raise and lower the outer fork 202 when it moves relative to the inner fork 201. The drive unit 203 is located at one end of the inner fork 201. A pulley assembly 3 is provided at the movable end of the drive unit 203. The pulley assembly 3 drives the outer fork 202 to move relative to the inner fork 201 and provides a rolling connection when the outer fork 202 is raised and lowered.

[0037] In this embodiment, the lifting fork assembly 2 and the pulley assembly 3 are among the core improvements. The outer fork 202 covers the upper periphery of the inner fork 201, thus enabling the outer fork 202 to move in four directions: up, down, left, and right. Simultaneously, the roller 2021 cooperates with the inclined block 2011, allowing the roller 2021 to rise or fall along the inclined block 2011, thereby driving the outer fork 202 to rise and fall. During the rising and falling of the outer fork 202, on the one hand, the outer fork 202 and the inner fork 201 move relative to each other in the front-to-back direction; on the other hand, the outer fork 202 and the inner fork 201 move relative to each other in the vertical direction, meaning the outer fork 202 moves diagonally upwards. In order to achieve the upward oblique movement of the outer fork 202, the drive member 203 in this embodiment drives the outer fork 202 to move back and forth through the pulley assembly 3, and provides a rolling connection to one end of the outer fork 202 when the outer fork 202 is raised or lowered, so that the drive member 203 remains stationary in the vertical direction, and one end of the outer fork 202 is driven by the drive member 203 to achieve the raising and lowering in a low-friction manner.

[0038] Chain assemblies 4, in several quantities, are laid along the length of the platform assembly 1. The chain assemblies 4 are driven by the drive assembly 5, and drive the lifting fork assembly 2 to extend or retract along the track 101.

[0039] In this embodiment, the drive assembly 5 drives the chain assembly 4, which in turn drives the lifting fork assembly 2 to extend into the interior of a container or truck.

[0040] The workflow of the forklift loading system provided in this embodiment can be as follows:

[0041] S1, control the lifting fork assembly 2 to be in a lowered state, and receive the goods placed on the lifting fork assembly 2;

[0042] S2, after loading is completed on the lifting fork assembly 2, control the lifting fork assembly 2 to lift the goods;

[0043] S3, the control drive assembly 5 drives the chain assembly 4 to drive the lifting fork assembly 2 to extend into the interior of a container or truck, etc.

[0044] S4 controls the lifting fork assembly 2 to lower the goods, and controls the drive assembly 5 to drive the chain assembly 4 to move the lifting fork assembly 2 out of the container or truck, etc., to complete the unloading.

[0045] Furthermore, the pulley assembly 3 includes a fixed base 301, a pulley group 302, and a movable base 303. The fixed base 301 is fixedly connected to the movable end of the driving member 203. The pulley group 302 is disposed at the rear end of the fixed base 301. The movable base 303 covers the outside of the fixed base 301. The rear end of the movable base 303 is provided with a first sliding surface 3031. One end of the movable base 303 is fixedly connected to one end of the outer fork 202. When the fixed base 301 moves with the driving end of the driving member 203, the movable base 303 drives the outer fork 202 to move relative to the inner fork 201. The first sliding surface and the pulley group 302 provide a rolling connection when the outer fork 202 is raised and lowered.

[0046] In this embodiment, the driving component 203 is a lead screw assembly. The movable nut of the lead screw assembly is fixedly connected to the fixed seat 301, thereby realizing the basic structure for the forward and backward lateral movement of the fixed seat 301. The movable seat 303 can be movably covered on the outside of the fixed seat 301. When the fixed seat 301 drives the movable seat 303 to move backward, the pulley group 302 at the rear end of the fixed seat 301 abuts against the first sliding surface 3031, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between the movable seat 303 and the fixed seat 301 when the movable seat 303 rises. The movable seat 303 moves upward and backward simultaneously by rolling.

[0047] Furthermore, the inner fork 201 is provided with slide rails 2012 on the left and right sides of the movable end of the drive member 203, and the fixed seat 301 is connected to the slide rails 2012.

[0048] The slide rail 2012 is oriented forward and backward, thus limiting the movement direction of the fixed base 301.

[0049] Furthermore, the inclined block 2011 includes an inclined surface and a horizontal surface, with the horizontal surface disposed at the top of the inclined surface.

[0050] With this structure, the outer fork 202 can reach the horizontal plane when it climbs up the ramp via the roller 2021. On the horizontal plane, the roller 2021 does not have a downward movement tendency, so that the outer fork 202 can remain in the lifted state after lifting the goods and reduce the force applied to the drive member 203.

[0051] Furthermore, the pulley assembly 302 is disposed at the rear upper end of the fixed seat 301. After the movable seat 303 drives the roller 2021 to climb up the inclined plane and reach the horizontal plane, the inner top surfaces of the pulley assembly 302 and the movable seat 303 provide a rolling connection when the outer fork 202 moves laterally.

[0052] Because the outer fork 202 can maintain its lifted state after lifting the goods under the action of the horizontal plane, the top of the fixed seat 301 is supported on the movable seat 303 in this state. However, the outer fork 202 still needs to move laterally on the horizontal plane. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pulley group 302 is further optimized and set at the rear upper end of the fixed seat 301. This enables the outer fork 202 to abut against the first sliding surface 3031 of the movable seat 303 when it climbs along the slope, and to abut against the inner top surface of the movable seat 303 when it moves laterally along the horizontal plane, thus providing rolling connection in multiple working states.

[0053] Furthermore, the front end of the movable seat 303 is provided with a second sliding surface 3032, which pushes the movable seat 303 to drive the roller 2021 to move from the horizontal plane to the inclined plane.

[0054] Furthermore, the inner fork 201 is provided with a plurality of rollers 204 on its bottom surface, and the rollers 204 are tactilely connected to the track 101.

[0055] Furthermore, the inner fork 201 is fixedly connected to a chain mounting base 401, and the chain assembly 4 drives the inner fork 201 to move along the track 101 through the chain mounting base 401.

[0056] In this embodiment, the chain assembly 4 drives the inner fork 201 to move along the track 101, thereby pushing out or retracting the lifting fork assembly 2.

[0057] Furthermore, it includes several horizontal lifting assemblies 6, all of which together support the platform assembly 1 and drive the platform assembly 1 to move horizontally or vertically.

[0058] In this embodiment, the lateral lifting assembly 6 includes a leg assembly 601, a first drive cylinder 602, a second drive cylinder 603, and a track assembly 604. The first drive cylinder 602 drives the leg assembly 601, thereby realizing the lifting and lowering of the leg assembly 601. The leg assembly 601 is mounted on the track assembly 604 via pulleys. Adjacent leg assemblies 601 are connected together via a side-shifting frame assembly 605. The second drive cylinder 603 drives the leg assembly 601 to move left and right, thereby driving the platform assembly 1 to move laterally or lift and lower.

[0059] Furthermore, it includes side shaping devices 7, which are disposed on the left and right sides of the platform assembly 1.

[0060] The side shaping device 7 in this embodiment includes roller rows, which are arranged on the left and right sides of the platform assembly 1. As the goods are output forward through the lifting fork assembly 2 and the chain assembly 4, the left and right sides of the pallet of the goods can be shaped to make the goods neatly arranged.

[0061] A control method for a forklift loading system is further provided. Based on the forklift loading system, during the process of the lifting fork assembly 2 raising the outer fork 202, the chain assembly 4 is controlled to drive the lifting fork assembly 2 to move, so as to counteract the horizontal displacement component of the outer fork 202.

[0062] During the process of lifting the outer fork 202 by the lifting fork assembly 2, the drive member 203 drives the outer fork 202 to move laterally. During the lateral movement of the outer fork 202, the roller 2021 and the inclined block 2011 cooperate to lift the outer fork 202. At this time, the movement direction of the outer fork 202 is diagonally upward. During this movement, the outer fork 202 will have a lateral relative displacement with the bottom of the pallet. On the one hand, the pallet generates friction force on the outer fork 202, making it difficult for the outer fork 202 to move laterally. On the other hand, the drive member 203 needs to do additional work when the outer fork 202 lifts and moves the goods laterally. Therefore, in this embodiment, during the lifting process, for example, if the outer fork 202 is pulled backward by the drive member, the chain assembly 4 drives the lifting fork assembly 2 to move forward. During the lifting process, the speed at which the outer fork 202 is pulled backward by the drive member is the same as the speed at which the chain assembly 4 drives the lifting fork assembly 2 to move forward, so that the lateral position of the outer fork 202 relative to the platform assembly 1 does not change, and the goods are lifted.

[0063] It should be noted that any reference signs placed between parentheses in the claims should not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of components or steps not listed in the claims. The word "a" or "an" preceding a component does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such components. The invention can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different components and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a unit claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by the same item of hardware. The use of the words first, second, and third, etc., does not indicate any order. These words can be interpreted as names.

[0064] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including both the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the invention.

[0065] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0066] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms should not be construed as necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

Claims

1. A forklift loading system, characterized in that: include: A platform assembly having a plurality of tracks arranged along its length; Several lifting fork assemblies are laid on the rails. Each lifting fork assembly includes an inner fork, an outer fork, and a drive unit. The outer fork covers the inner fork. Multiple inclined blocks are spaced between the inner forks, and multiple rollers are spaced between the outer forks. The rollers and inclined blocks cooperate to raise and lower the outer fork when it moves relative to the inner fork. The drive unit is located at one end of the inner fork, and a pulley assembly is provided at its movable end. The pulley assembly drives the outer fork to move relative to the inner fork and provides rolling connection for raising and lowering the outer fork. The pulley assembly includes a fixed base, a pulley block, and a movable base. The fixed base is fixedly connected to the drive unit. The movable end of the device has a pulley assembly located at the rear end of the fixed base. The movable base covers the outside of the fixed base. The rear end of the movable base has a first sliding surface. One end of the movable base is fixedly connected to one end of the outer fork. When the fixed base moves with the driving end of the driving member, the movable base drives the outer fork to move relative to the inner fork. The first sliding surface and the pulley assembly provide a rolling connection when the outer fork is raised or lowered. The inclined block includes an inclined surface and a horizontal surface. The horizontal surface is located at the top of the inclined surface. The front end of the movable base has a second sliding surface. The second sliding surface pushes the movable base to drive the roller to move on the horizontal surface toward the inclined surface. Several chain assemblies are laid along the length of the platform assembly. The chain assemblies are driven by a drive assembly, which in turn drives the lifting fork assembly to extend or retract along the track.

2. The forklift loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner fork is provided with slide rails on the left and right sides of the movable end of the drive member, and the fixed seat is connected to the slide rails.

3. The forklift loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pulley assembly is located at the upper rear end of the fixed seat. After the movable seat drives the rollers to climb up the inclined plane and reach the horizontal plane, the inner top surfaces of the pulley assembly and the movable seat provide a rolling connection when the outer fork moves laterally.

4. The forklift loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner fork has multiple rollers on its bottom surface, and the rollers are rotatably connected to the track.

5. A forklift loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It includes several lateral lifting assemblies, all of which together support the platform assembly and drive the platform assembly to move laterally or move up and down.

6. A forklift loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It includes side shaping devices, which are disposed on the left and right sides of the platform assembly.

7. A control method for a forklift loading system, based on the forklift loading system according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, During the process of the lifting fork assembly raising the outer fork, the chain assembly is controlled to drive the lifting fork assembly to move in order to counteract the horizontal displacement component of the outer fork.

Images